2007-11-18 - Fibbers, York

On Stage :

with the Lonely Astronauts

[Greg Wiz (drums), Kraig Jarret Johnson (guitar/keyboards), Jennifer Turner (guitar) and Sibyl Buck (bass)]


Setlist :

too much to hide
black lexus
spacemen
chicago
even tho
faith
september baby
don't tell your eyes
slide away
you are free
when i was running out of time
cocaine feet
i will carry
diamond ring
nuclear daydream
echo park
in the sun
can't exist
devil's broom (cut on the sbd recording)
enough to get away (not on the sbd recording)

Recording :

This concert was officially recorded, and sold on CDr after the show.

Review: 

Joseph Arthur, Fibbers, York

Sunday seemed a suitable night for Joseph Arthur and The Lonely Astronauts to be playing Fibbers. 

Their set, which showcased the simultaneous release of two of Arthur's albums, was a laid-back affair and the songwriter's famously wistful songs lulled the audience into a reflective state. 

At their best, Arthur's ragged voice and poignant songs were beautiful; Echo Park and the title track of the album Nuclear Daydream commanded the room's attention. 

The emotive content of the set was lifted and interspersed with the upbeat grooves of Let's Just Be, the cooler, heavier sounds of songs like Cocaine Feet and the crowd-pleasing In The Sun. 

Arthur is well complimented by his feisty new band, billed because of their collaboration on the new album Let's Just Be. 

At points, the band gelled to create a crackling energy. However, as with the content of the set list, the mood was inconsistent and in the lulls there was a strange feeling of despondency and lack of connection with the audience. 

The more experimental and spontaneous side of the band, evident in parts of the new material, was slightly lacking on Sunday and when they had to leave the stage at half past ten as instructed by the Fibbers management, it was not with much reluctance on the part of the band. 

However, this was notable because of the strikingly high quality of Arthur's new albums. 

Vanity Fair described Nuclear Daydream as "a glorious work of art" and the widespread acclaim of Arthur's gorgeous songwriting is clearly more than justified. 

- Kate Liptrot

Source