Nizlopi media showcase

This was the show that welcomed Nizlopi back to the wider world, in support of an imminent second full album, 'Make It Happen.' Later that evening they’d play to a sold-out fanclub-only crowd, but this show was for the impressing of media types. Hence or otherwise, we didn't get a whiff of 'JCB song', their fingers-up-to-the-major-labels but charming number 1. Had it become a heavy chain round their collective neck, vilified like Radiohead wouldn't touch 'Creep' for ages? Or did we not deserve it? Are they not one-hit-wonders? Or was it just that there wasn't time with new material to play?

In this cosy bar that could maybe hold 200, we were initially entertained by a backdrop of Nizlopi tracks set to both videos of the band and animated shorts. Then two people grabbed some instruments from the stage, walked up the stairway to the bar, turned audience heads despite little introduction, and brought us the first tune. This level of human contact set the scene. It was followed throughout the performance by much between-song banter, and the crowd often being encouraged to sing along, which all showed a band comfortable in themselves and willing to be accessible.



That first track, 'Start Beginning', gentle as it was, showed how Nizlopi appear to work as musicians. John James Parker played an affecting double-bass by hand, with intermittent slaps of its ridge and occasional augmentation of the tune by bow. As time went on, I realized that he was also busily and capably beat-boxing away, albeit almost as a ventriloquist. Meantime, singer Luke Concannon played accomplished acoustic guitar whilst singing or rapping sturdily, belying the intimacy of lyrics that can be easily related to. It all worked, insofar as the sound was comfortable and familiar, and yet was clearly not the instrumentation of a typical band.

The second song was called 'I'm Alive Again.' It was played back on the stage. Whilst on the new album, it was not new to the faithful. It had a prominent beat-box groove. It did a job.

Two men from Senegal were introduced for the third track. They added a cultural drum and a stringed-instrument (later identified as a Kora) along with backing vocals. The song was explained as being about a fellow who is leaving Senegal to come to Europe, wondering if he'll make it there. The lyrics dealt with the emotions of no longer being with family and girlfriend, and feelings of insecurity that caused repeated vocal demands of "hold me." It was a gentle song, but one that should reward those who listen well.

Next was 'Love Is,' again off the new album. It was introduced as the upshot of a row whilst on tour supporting Jamie Cullum. Touring presumably causes many stresses. However, it was clarified that it is an uplifting reminder of what gets you through if things become too much, with a main lyric of "love is the sweetest feeling." It was pleasantly rousing.

The penultimate song had a young Mark Owen look-alike take over double-bass, Parker switching to guitar, and Concannon focussing entirely on the singing. The song, 'England Rise Up', was explained as a reclamation of all that is great about the UK, Benjamin Zephaniah being given as example. Indeed, I later found out that he features on the album version of this new track. The song itself was very rap-heavy, reminding me of a political version of something Mike Skinner might do.

The last song lost the double-bass entirely but gained a huge tambourine. Another new one, 'Drop Your Guard, it was explained as taking risks with love. It moved along graciously. And then the show was all over too quickly, surprising me as I could have enjoyed much more of their folksy tunes and friendly banter.

The band chatted freely to people post-performance and I reflected on a solid if short performance. The new music probably won't catapult them back into the charts, but should please current fans and gain some more along the way, especially as their manner will suit many a laid-back festival this summer. Worth a good, fresh listen overall.

Setlist:

1. Start Beginning
2. I’m Alive Again
3. Last Night in Dakar
4. Love Is
5. England Rise Up
6. Drop Your Guard

'Make It Happen' is released on 31/3/08 on FDM Records. First single, 'Start Beginning, is released two weeks earlier, but is apparently already available on download.

FUTURE GIGS

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