Rock and Pop: CAMDEN CRAWL 2010 - Reviews - Gaggle, Babybird, Casio Kids, The Wilderness of Manitoba, Leafcutter John
Published: 6 May 2010
by ROISIN GADELRAB
CASIO KIDS, then KATY B - JAZZ CAFE
A welcome change of pace, light in sound, happy electro, they attracted huge queues and quite rightly so. The kind of guys you want to hang out with, because you know it’d be fun.
Katy B's soul had hints of rude-girl attitude but was a bit too lounge-y. An accomplished singer who feels every word.
BABYBIRD - DUBLIN CASTLE
Stephen Jones aka Babybird was in fine voice, though a little nervous he wouldn’t be playing to anyone who’d actually heard of him. He was wrong. It was an all-age crowd and he won a warm reception.
GAGGLE - ELECTRIC BALLROOM
There was considerable buzz around this female choir who sing about modern-east-london type female dilemmas “How can I tell if My Man is a Liar?” in a freaky tribal confrontational, don’t mess with us way, while sounding a little like the pickpockets from the musical Oliver!
LEAFCUTTER JOHN - BARFLY
His atmospheric solo was drowned out by the rudest baying Barfly crowd in history. Where in other venues, similar acts were respected, something strange was happening here. He soldiered on and the few who were listening were mesmerised. But it’s hard to believe he was not affected by the confidence-shattering reception
THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA - SPREADEAGLE
Last of Andy Ross' picks, New Age Canadian four-piece with haunting harmonies, a cross between Simon and Garfunkle and Fleet Foxes – a laid-back mid-afternoon interlude with Tibetan singing bowls and a cello.