The Delgados, Hove Old Market, 12 May 2000


I had the extreme pleasure of seeing The Delgados last night at one of the friendliest, 
cleanest, and prettiest venues in Brighton/Hove (also where I saw Gorky's a few months ago).

The opener, Electric Music, were a pretty decent guitar band with some extra instruments 
thrown in. The reminded me of early REM and softer Guided By Voices, but with a singer 
that sounded a bit like Phil Collins. Pretty good overall, even if the rhythm guitarist 
just bored me to tears.

The Delgados came on stage as a ten piece (regular members + 3 violins, a cello, flute, 
and keyboardist), and the backdrop to the stage was a white canvas with the faerie from 
the new album painted on. It was extremely well done, and it gave the perfect effect that 
it was being projected. When coloured lights were shown on it, you were convinced that it 
was done in that colour, not shades of gray (a really beautiful, subtle effect).

Having only heard three songs off the new album, I wasn't expecting to be completely 
floored by the new material, which was precisely what happened. The Delgados got GOOD. 
very, very good. Their new material is still in the vein of Peloton, but there's 
definitely a Deserter's Songs element that makes it truly epic. For two of the songs, 
Alun sat down with his guitar across his lap, weaved a bit of paper through the strings, 
picked the strings, and used a glass slide to achieve a gorgeous sound that was close
 to the saw in Deserter's Songs. (I keep mentioning it, but it was in no way a copy of 
the album. it doesn't do them justice. it's just that it's that gorgeous and that 
intense and it reminded me of the Mercury Rev show).

I brought two friends along who had only heard my copy of Peloton twice, and they were 
completely won over, and one bought The Great Eastern today. For me, it's now moved to
 the top of my to-buy list. I'm not sure if it's out in the states, but everyone should 
stop to take a listen if it is...

I got a setlist:
Knowing When
Everything Goes
Reasons for Silence
No Danger
Don't Stop
Witness
American Trilogy
Accused of Stealing
Make Your Move
Aye Today
Pull the Wires
Piano     [crossed out, they didn't play it]
13 Gliding 
---
The Past That Suits You Best

I really can't say much else, I'm just in love with this band now. Just the amount of 
growth they've done since Domestiques is amazing -- I can hardly believe it's the same 
band... (so it goes without saying that you should buy a ticket if they come anywhere 
near you!)

melissa, who loves the fact that she always has to give stellar concert reviews!