The Departure (Edinburgh)

Playing to an audience not much bigger than your band and crew in a venue the size of a large living room is an intimidating prospect. What does one do in these circumstances? Well, if you’re The Departure’s front man David Jones, it seems getting a bit pissed and being a cocky bastard is the way to go, which may have worked had he not dropped his mic mid-song.

The 80’s/Smith’s inspired music of the band is likable enough, and they pleasantly play their way through songs old and new, but aside from some Ian Brown-esque swaggering from Jones and the occasional amusing drunken stumble, the rest of the band were incredibly wooden and looked as though the performance was a form of Chinese torture. Perk ups and signs of life were evident in ‘Lump In My Throat’, and justifiably so as it was the only song worthy of stadium style performance, and closing song ‘Dirty Words’ was performed perfectly, perhaps because the gig was ending and the rest of the band could crack a smile at last. Not a terrible gig, but Jones is clearly under the illusion that he is someone else, creditable of the arrogant front man act which in fairness, he does play to precision. Sadly, he is not quite worthy of it just yet.

Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, 7th October 2007.

Written by Hannah Atkinson.