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In true Babyshamble styles first act Drew McConnell fails to show up, the crowd appears none too bothered. After generating a buzz supporting Kate Nash and their own headline tour Peggy Sue And The Pirates are back on the road again. Playing better known numbers like the fuzz and crackle of ‘Spare Parts’ alongside the flowery swoon of new song ‘Escargot’ they could captivate even the most hard hearted crowd.
Even after false starts and stutters ‘New Song’ loses none of its it’s intensity. Like a stripped down Amy Winehouse Katy and Rosa’s vocals swirl around building to a gentle breakdown.
Showing their darker side, ‘Television’ is the surreal sound of technology taking over in Devoesque future. The marauding and pillaging can wait for another day as the girls smile when someone shyly asks which one is called Sue.
Charging onto stage like a bull in a china shop, from the opening chords of ‘Milkmaid’ Kid Harpoon has the crowd in the palm of his hand. The drums propel the crowd along into a rampaging Gogol Bordello style freak out. The triumphant sway of ‘Flowers By The Shore’ seals the deal as lagered up boyos down the yell along with the chorus, "I’m packing shotguns and rifles".
Backed by The Powers That Be and an ever-evolving line-up there is an air of uncontainable excitement on the packed stage. New song ‘Hold On’ hints at more radio friendly things to come with it’s super-catchy chorus. Already a modern classic, ‘Riverside’s tales of murder most foul are matched with Tom Hull’s snarling vocals and Coral style beats. Like a play in several acts it’s at once sensitive and slightly demonic as it growls to its grisly end.
Offering no let up Leonard Cohen cover ‘First We Take Manhattan’ brings the house crashing down. As the raucous, scrabbling sound reaches it’s deafening pitch stands like an excitable dictator rousing his troops for battle. It proves all too short a visit for a growing legion of fans, willing to follow into stormy waters, clinging to the mast.
