The Beat Surrender

I love Halloween; adults get to dress up and are encouraged to be ugly, and kids get sweets – it’s officially ace! So unusually for me I left the house sans costume, but I knew I was already in for a treat tonight, with or without the obligatory mask.

I’d been looking forward to Tuesday night on Saturday – strange but true – so I really hoped I wouldn’t be disappointed, and I’m happy to report that the grin’s still on my face. It looked pretty good from the start; tonight’s gig was at the Thekla and it’s an excellent venue. Newly refurbished and looking ship shape (well it is a boat) I feel quite at home here. It ticks all the right boxes from a punter’s point of view. The stage can be clearly seen, there’s always plenty of bar staff and you don’t have to pay an arm and leg for your beverage of choice- something which the hideous Academy should definitely take note of.

Fortunately this evening was arranged as a bit of a catch up with some friends and housemates, so I managed to miss most of David Viner’s set. I’ve probably offended a few people, but he really wasn’t my cuppa. Of what I did manage to catch of his, I can best describe as a little twee for me – think country with a double bass. Anyway I’ve already wasted far too much time talking about him, he wasn’t the main attraction, and that was clearly shown when The Duke Spirit came on stage. Leila Moss and gang add a little intrigue to their opening; wearing red masks and giving us a brief introduction they open with the spiky Fades The Sun.

There were quite a few fans here, which I was surprised to see. The last I’d heard of them was when I went to see them support Razorlight during the NME Rock n Riot Tour 2004. That particular gig I actually went to see Razorlight who I have lost any enthusiasm for, but The Duke Spirit impressed me so much so, that I bought the album as opposed to copying it!

Anyway enough about the past, tonight’s opener follows with the angst ridden Win Your Love, and it’s this song which really demonstrates the powerful voice that this leading lady processes. It’s among my favourites from Cut’s Across The Land, and it’s going down well with the crowd, but they change the tempo somewhat with a few new numbers which include Message To A Pretty, The Step And The Walk, Wooden Heart, Into The Fold and Dog Roses all of which are good, but not entirely memorable. It’s not that I’ve lost interest; I was just eagerly waiting for Cuts Across the Land which never did materialize- boo!

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