TIM BOOTH : LONDON ICA 15.10.03
Setlist - Shame, Discover, Down To The Sea, Laid, Falling Down, Hold You To Your Words, Sometimes, One, Fall In Love With Me
review by Jen
Tony Wilson announces that the programme produced for the event is "crap" and that instead of describing the acts he chose as the ones he wished he'd signed, it should be "the ones that got away". After a couple of anecdotes, including how Tony found out James were leaving Factory, Tim appears with his band, looking, quite frankly, great.
Tim informs the audience at some point that they are "Witnessing the beginnings of a band", and the impression taken from the evening is just that. Throughout the set, hints were gleaned as to how their work will develop. How well they work together was clear, from Lisa asking Tim to listen to how her introduction to Falling Down sounds before they launch into the proper performance to Lee's jesting about Laid being the "worst song in the set". The vocal harmonies between them, and how their instruments compliment Tim's vocals, made for exciting listening and it was clear they were here to experiment.
Initially, talkers in the audience were marring the performances; however, Tim told them to "fuck off to the bar, we don't need you", much to the appreciation of those who were there to listen. The second half of Down To The Sea was a lot stronger after that, finishing with the lyrical image of "I'm going to wipe away my tears from your face".
Someone, inevitably, asked for Sit Down and Tim told the audience that is was the "first time" (surprisingly) it had happened. He also commented at one point that the way the songs were performed were completely different to the studio versions "but that's acoustic sets for you". Furthermore, he displays his appreciation of the audience he earlier chastised by telling them that he can "feel the quality of your listening".
Highlights of the set included a terrific performance of Laid and a wonderful rendition of Sometimes. When Tim tells the technicians, "We'll need the backing track for this one", the expectation that something special is coming up immediately occurs. One, which Tim said was the song that was closest to how the rest of the album would sound, begins, and immediately delivers.
To finish was a vocal led performance of "Fall In Love With Me", which Tim introduced as a "love spell". Tim's voice is strong enough to carry the song through on its own, and it made for a haunting performance.
Overall, whilst the experiments didn't always work, the set was a success. The album is due out at some point next year. I for one can't wait.