Not to be missed

Ray Lamontagne at The Lowry Salford, last night, what a night, what a gig; the whole experience was just incredible. It's the first time I've been to The Lowry and what a venue, real kind of posh and not exactly the place to go wearing blue and black nail varnish - I got some strange looks, I think we both did, I think they kind of guessed you know? I'm much more used to the rock n roll edge of venues like the Manchester Apollo, but you live and learn; anyway it would be boring if we were all the same. 

What a real small and intimate venue, absolutely perfect for such an artist. We were in Row C of the front circle and were still so close to the stage with an uninterrupted view. The staff were just brilliant, you could tell it was not a normal concert venue; the vast majority of them were old dears dressed in purple Lowry t-shirts, I kid you not - just so surreal. I don't know what would have happened if it had kicked off anywhere, they would probably appease you with their knitting needles. 

Priscilla Ahn was the support act, an American folky singer, songwriter I have never heard of before. But what a funny girl, spinning tales of life back home in small town America in between songs. Talking about the one cop in the town that had a penchant for shooting dogs, poetry, tits and living in trees; serious entertainment. She reminded me a lot of Laura Veirs, if you are familiar? Priscilla played from 8.00 to 8.40 and had the audience in raptures, a perfect aperitif.

Ray and his band came on stage at 9.00 and blew the place apart, for American folk it was seriously rocking. I have seen Ray once before, must be 2 years ago at the Manchester Apollo and was far from impressed, he seemed uncomfortable and overawed by the venue. No problems here, the band played real tight and Ray's voice just awesome, I have never heard any other live act who could match him on last nights performance; and I've seen some real big hitters. Just so much power, rough and ready, smooth and mellow, anguish and grief mixed into every note - beyond any words I could possibly convey. And the sound mix and acoustics within the venue were heavenly - it brought the music in all it's raw intimacy to life. 

He must have been in fine form because Ray actually spoke to the audience, the shyest man in music speaking directly to the crowd - a real collectors item. Someone asked him how he liked Manchester and he replied, "I've not had much time but I've noticed lots of cranes and concrete, pretty much like any other place, I guess; but I'm glad to see you all here tonight - (silence) - oh come on I mean it guys" There followed a rapturous applause, if you know of Ray you would understand - a man of no words whilst performing. 

We were expecting the gig to last no longer than an hour and a half; but with the encore he played almost two hours of musical nirvana. Highlights, if I had to pick being Let It Be Me - which almost brought me to tears and made the hairs on my neck stand; a stunning cover of When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - perhaps even better than the original by Sam Moore; and the closer Jolene. 

The best sub £20 gig I have ever seen, the best vocal performance I have ever heard, one of the best gigs period - easily ranking in the realms of Neil Young, Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen. If you are lucky enough to have a ticket for any of the stops of his current tour, you are in for a serious treat; one not to be missed. 

Set List:

you are the best thing

forever my friend
let it be me
i still care for you
empty
henry nearly killed me (it's a shame)
home 
burn
winter birds
all the wild horses
meg white
you can bring me flowers 
shelter
trouble
===========
when something is wrong with my baby
three more days
gossip in the grain
jolene