The Fall, Fibbers Thursday 9th May
"My dialogue is fucked" he drones, "I can't string a sentencrrrr.....". Welcome to the wonderful and frightening world of Mark E Smith. Doing the rounds promoting latest album Re-Mit, notorious post punk outfit The Fall are pretty difficult to judge by normal standards: If any other band did what they do there'd be hell to pay, but then again nobody does. Nobody can.
A notoriously volatile and grumpy performer, Smith delivers a typically ramshackle but surprisingly good spirited performance. All the quirks are out in force, of course: idly twiddling knobs on amps, confiscating the mic from keyboardist (and wife) Elana , frequently leaving the stage for long stretches and, most bizarrely returning to duet with a random guy from the audience. It makes for a compelling performance, but what's most surprising is the consistent smile on his face, sharing a laugh or two with the crowd and on more than one occasion standing back to bask as they chant his words back at him. Coupled with a tight and powerful back line, what we have here is a treat of a show.
Although he never actually mentions the new album, new single Sir William Wray is given an airing along with a pick'n'mix of fall perennials. But the real treat is saved for the climax, returning to the stage for two encores with a surprising rendition of classic Mr Pharmacist before a teeth shaking finale of the storming Blindness brings the place down. Stirring stuff.
It's hard to imagine anyone left tonight's gig not smiling, least of all Mr Smith.
4/5
*This review was originally written for York Vision
*This review was originally written for York Vision
