Ben Howard at Brixton Academy

I Forget Where We Were
Source: www.O2academybrixton.co.uk

Ben Howard is an artist who's name is not easily lost in the 'indie-folk' music scene, nor is he easily forgotten in the three year gap between albums. Howard's humble beginnings start back in 2008 when he self-released his first EP Games in The Dark followed by two more EPs in 2009-2010. He then was signed by the mighty record label that it is Communion and released his debut album Every Kingdom. Despite not churning out his second album hot on the heels of the first, he kept his fans entertained by releasing two more EPs. When I Forget Where We Were was finally released in 2014, after teasing fans by playing new content live and releasing songs 'I Forget Where We Were' and 'Conrad', it received much appreciation and the dose of Ben Howard goodness that fans craved; whilst delivering more mournful and soulful content.

Having seen Mr Howard only a season ago it seemed like an age and it was most pleasurable to see him again so soon. Not only that but the O2 Academy Brixton seemed to be a fitting place to go to my first Ben Howard gig, having only seeing him at a festival. Ben himself even claimed: "I don't think there's a better place to play in".

Hiss Golden Messenger

source: http://www.mergerecords.com/

Kicking off the night was the American 'folk' band Hiss Golden Messenger, from the land of North Carolina. The band's debut album Country Hai East Cotton was first released in 2009 limited to only 500 copies, the following year they released Bad Debt via record company Black Maps. The band released three more albums following the first two, their most recent album Lateness of Dancers was released via Merge record label (who they are now signed to) in 2014. They are labelled as a duo, consisting of M.C. Taylor and Scott Hirsch, despite this they arrived on stage with two extra players which on their Facebook page they have titled "pals". Having seen Hiss Golden Messenger, in the summer also, I anticipated a performance of good old rhythm and blues with folk chords to sink your teeth into- which they delivered. Their performance was intense and enthused, expressing their North Carolina blues background, giving the audience songs to "dance to". It was a thoroughly enjoyable performance and they looked like they enjoyed it too. 

When Ben Howard and his legendary four piece band entered the stage the atmosphere grew with anticipation. As the lights progressively rose Ben began to strum the first mesmerising chords of 'Small Things'. As the band flowed through the set-list, Ben's nimble fingers effortlessly plucking out near faultless harmonies accompanied by the virtuosity of his band (as well as the lights and screens surrounding them), the experience truly immersed and captivated the audience. The new works from I Forget Where We Were filled the set-list with marathon long compositions exposing his desire to perform music on a grand scale. Much to the audience's delight, Howard still performed classic favourites Black Flies, The Fear, Gracious and the oldest Oats in the Water, despite this the audience began to chant the riff of Wolves to which he replied "Yeah we did that one". Thankfully all was not harmed as the audience seemed to accept that although there was no opportunity to cascade into a sing-along to Keep your Head Up or Old Pine he set out to play new music and that's certainly what he delivered.

Ben Howard
source: www.gigwise.com

Howard ended the night with End of the Affair which was seemingly appropriate given that it was the first song that was released off of the new album and it was the end of an affair that left the audience running 'round in love with Ben Howard again-if not already.