There’s no doubt about it, the wonderful team at Fuelled by Cider know talent when they see it. They’ve been bringing some great acts to Taunton and their latest offering was no exception.
Jack Humphries was first up, a young songwriter who oozes potential. His songs were well crafted, with storytelling lyrics that were clearly influenced by the mighty Frank Turner (the boy has excellent taste). Jack has only been gigging for a few months, he’ll be going from strength to strength if tonight’s performance is anything to go by.
That Hidden Promise then took the stage, he is a sampling wizard. Hailing from the north west a well seasoned professional act, he brought us songs that reminded me of my youth the days when Oasis went head to head with Blur (and probably won by a nose).
So onto the main event, how to explain Louis Barabbas? Well he’s a force of nature. This was the penultimate gig on the tour for his new album Gentle Songs of Ceaseless Horror. You maybe forgiven for assuming a show with that title would be awfully serious, but you’d be mistaken. Louis is the real deal, singer, songwriter, musician, actor, frenetic dancer, record label owner, DJ, an all round clever clogs.
Louis writes very cerebral songs, and I’ll waffle on about them when I review the album, but suffice to say they’re atmospheric, dramatic, caustic and full of pathos. He also treated us to songs from the musical he’s written (see he’s a clever clogs) which sum his style up wonderfully. Louis stomped, jumped and galloped around the stage channelling the spirit of Lionel Bart, doing trouser splittingly high kicks, to my surprise we were all smiling and laughing! I’m not sure why us Brits identify so well with the blackest of humour, and the saddest of tales, but it does seem to touch the depths of our black little hearts. Perhaps it’s cathartic?
I hope we get the opportunity to see Louis again, it’d be nice to see him play with his dirt swing band the Bedlam Six next time perhaps.
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