Photo: WENN.com
Judging by the trajectory of Camera Obscura’s career they are band that dislike fanfare. Having embarked on a gruelling live scheduled and focusing their efforts cultivated a dedicated following, some 18 years into their career the Glaswegians can finally say they’ve made it. Not that you’d know it from the way that the unassuming seven piece shuffle onto the stage at the Forum.
But far from being a criticism of Camera Obscura the band’s self-effacing demeanour is testament to their capability as a live spectacle, and the fact a humble “hullo London” from front woman Traceyanne Campbell is about as forthcoming as the band get in between song, is, if nothing else, rather endearing.
And, as you would expect, the performance is impeccable; 'French Navy' sounds even better than it does when it’s being used to flog cheap wine on the TV and the gentle baroque pop of 'This Is Love (Feels Alright)' from most recent album Desire Lines is as quaint on stage is it is on record.
The only gripe that could be levelled at the performance would have to be aimed at the audience who just don’t seem that enamoured by the fact they are privy to a performance from a band that are producing indie-pop classicism in all its glory right before their very eyes. 'Books Written for Girls' comes close to being ruined by the constant background noise of casual conversation which threatens to drown out the song’s delicate peddle steel accompaniment and even 'Let’s Do It Again' (which happens to be one of the most infectious singles released on an independent label in the last 5 years) barely stirs the audience which tonight evidently is made up exclusively of traffic wardens and librarians.
Camer Obscura created a spectacle and invited us along to experience it with them. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, tonight only very few took them up on the offer. It was their loss.
