I've long since given up counting how many British Sea Power gigs I've been to. But one things for sure, I'm still a rank amateur. BSP have a cult following that contains in its ranks individuals who continue to take in countless shows the length and breadth of the UK, and abroad.
So whilst my BSP attendance-record is ok but not one to boast about, they remain by a long way the band I've seen most. So this begs the perennial question: what is that makes them such an attractive proposition? The answer is simply that this band has a real knack of keeping things fresh, if not by what they deliver but by the sheer interest in the venues they play.
Tonight's event, part of Bournemouth Arts Week was right up the BSP alley: a gig on the National Trust owned nature reserve Brownsea Island. So there we were, gathered in the heavy rain at a mostly deserted jetty between Bournemouth and Poole to catch the specially-chartered ferry (included in the ticket price). As we waited in the gathering dusk sheltering under an umbrella it definitely felt like an event that'd be good to talk about afterwards but not enjoyable at the time.
Things changed as we made ourselves onto the boat and broke out beers and started swapping BSP stories with the party-faithful. 15 minutes later saw us moored at the island with a short walk up the jetty, through the National Trust cafe for further refreshments. I suspect the cafe shifted more of their staple 'Brownsea Ale' than they had done in a while - in fact they had sold out by the time I got to the bar. Fortunately the 'BSP Shop' had extended their range tonight to include San Miguels.
The gig was in an adjoining marquee and with everyone safely ensconced BSP took to the stage at 7.00 pm after a support slot from a local brass band.
A slow start in the chilly evening but how did this set warm up. In all truth probably not a set for BSP first-timers but from my point of view it was as near perfect as I could experience. I have four favourite BSP numbers; The Lonely (first ever BSP song I ever heard, on an NME 2003 sampler, rarely played live); Blackout (from first album 'Decline'); True adventures (off 'Open Season'); Radio Goddard (off latest CD 'Machineries of Joy but usually overlooked live). Incredibly they included all four in the set.
Sprinkled around these were better known songs 'Waving Flags', 'Remember Me' plus a selection from their 'rarities' catalogue 'Moley And Me' and 'Bear' - definitely ones for the die-hard. The middle section of the set was accompanied by the brass band, giving fantastic colourful depths to the melodies, and making up for the absence of viola-player Abi who is recovering from an injury.
And so to the ferry traversing the waves back to the mainland truly, a wonderful Sea Power experience.
Si
