Laura Veirs

Manchester Academy 3. 19/1/10.

A good start to the year with LV touring her new album, due out the week of the gig. I couldn't get the album in metropolis Chester so ended up buying it at the show. Fortunately I'd heard most of the record from steaming so wasn't going in blind, or is that deaf ? whatever.

With Karen being over from the IOM I'd booked 2 tickets to introduce K to Laura live, a rather pregnant Laura too.
We drove up to Manchester and parked behind the Academy and went for a Danish inspired meal further up Oxford Rd then made our way back to the venue. True to form as we approached I spotted a couple of guys I know outside just as we got there security opened the door and said to us you can wait inside as it's so cold out. We waited in the bar area for 10 mins then went up to Academy 3. Karen wasn't too happy with the suspended spiral staircase though.
Nobody was sure if she was playing with full band or solo acoustic as it turned out she played somewhere in between. A striped down band, a violinist and two guys (both played solo support slots) who swapped between bass, stand up drum, keys and guitar. Having seen Laura with a full band and just solo acoustic several times I wasn't sure how this would work. With the new album being a fairly striped down affair it worked perfectly. I'd go as far as to say it was one of the most enjoyable LV gigs and I've seen her several times now. Highlights included 'Wide - eyed, legless' and the title track 'July Flame' as most of the new record was played.
On the way out I congratulated Laura on her expectancy and got her to sign a copy of the album "Hi I know your face but can't remember your name" she said, you can call me anything you like I thought.