Review: John Grant @ The Gate
John Grant
The Gate
25th June 2011
“Who's gonna be the one to save me from myself? / You'd better bring a stun gun and perhaps a crowbar / You'd better pack a lunch and get up really early / And you should probably get on your knees and pray”
Awarded Mojo’s album of 2010 for his suitably majestic Queen of Denmark, John Grant has shocked and thrilled with his dark but witty lyrics and soaring vocals.
Upon discovering his music a couple of months ago, I was soon informed that he was to appear, courtesy of Swn, at The Gate. My memories of past gigs at the converted church, where good acoustics are at home, are so fond that, weird as this sounds, I find myself smiling upon just seeing pictures of the venue. It was therefore a pleasure to be there to witness two outstanding performances with good friend lemonnhead to you at the end of a very hectic week of gig-going, work-experiencing and making a fool of myself at my Year 11 prom.
Support came from Daughter whose dreamy voice and clever song-writing was both soothing and thought provoking and undeniably excellent. Peter, an ode to childish lovers, uses J.M. Barrie’s classic tale to form a very moving track, executed tremendously live; “I flew here under false pretence / I thought it would be fun / But the lost boys have moved away and one of them’s locked up / I know you think you’re still a child but / I couldn’t give a f***/ You’re twenty one.”
She described Landfill as “all the ways you can kill me” and its mournful backing vocals and devastating lyrics were truly haunting. The lines “Throw me in the water / Don't think about the splash I will create” shuddering through me. I tend to over-use the term ‘spine-chilling’, most probably because I feel the cold too easily, but her whole set truly was gorgeous and for fear of this going on too much (my tea’s getting cold) I will point you over to her MySpace here. She has a great EP out at the minute, His Young Heart, and has received much airplay on BBC 6Music, on which she recently performed live for Lauren Laverne. She encompasses the best bits of Florence Welch, Laura Marling and The XX and more besides, and I whole heartedly recommend.
After such an unexpected treat, John Grant wandered into view and maintained this high standard of performance with song after song crafted with darkly funny lyrics, Rufus Wainwright-esque vocals and the odd synthesiser or two which helped bolster the melodies.
Raised in Michigan, he knew he was gay from a very early age and knew “it was wrong”. He suffered terribly internally, something he explores through his music. JC Hates Faggots is a devastating song about being told that being gay is wrong and criticises any form of prejudice, especially coming from religious people. You could say that Grant’s story is the ‘classic’ rock star gone teetotal tale however he had always had issues due to his sexuality - “ I moved from Michigan to Denver and hoped I wouldn’t still be gay when I got there,” he added after one track.
When in former band The Czars he drank and abused very heavily and has been close to suicide. Now he doesn’t touch drink. However, his complex background and consequential demons are still very much alive present with the poignant Queen of Denmark, a good example of this - highlighting his sense of humour and painful past; “I wanted to change the world, but I couldn’t even change my underwear,” causing a chuckle and yet Grant’s deadly serious delivery formed an very upsetting image. This theme continues with Chicken Bone, whose video, incidentally, was filmed in Cardiff, beginning, “When I got out of my bed this morning, I noticed that it didn’t have a right side”. Grant is a warm character with some cold memories, leaving behind truly heart-wrenching lyrics which really work
Despite some small microphone issues (“this really is p***ing me off now”), the whole set was exceptional. Grant showed his talent as a songwriter, pianist and vocalist, with Sigourney Weaver and Marz two particular favourites of the audience.
Just talking about this gig is reminds me of the horrific consequences that homophobic attitudes can lead to but here is a man who has channelled his personal experiences into something beautiful and powerful. His performance was first class and to be sitting a matter of feet away from someone whose talent is so obvious (yet still unrecognised by most) and back story so harrowing that I left feeling somewhat inspired and most definitely moved. Those in attendance had witnessed something truly magical and Grant received a standing ovation. He is an artist with a story to tell and the musical means to do it.
Grant truly is the real deal (and Daughter a name for the future).
IMAGE: John Grant @ Tivoli by simononly
1 Comment – Postiwch sylw
Tom_Bevan
Rhoddwyd sylw 59 mis yn ôl - 1st July 2011 - 18:38pm
Apologies to Swn for my late writing of this- had about 3 hours spare to write it this week but cheers for an amazing night! :)