Paul Heaton announces that The Beautiful South are now officially a boy-band, before shuffling across the stage as sexily as he can. "Look out for us in Smash Hits next year!" he quips, launching in to 'Song For Whoever'.
There is, of course, a major absentee from tonight's line-up with Jacqueline Abbot having quit the band, and the boys who are left see little gain in not coming clean. Before 'Rotterdam' Paul explains: "Apologies to those of you who wanted to see Jacqui. She's left the band... but in her absence I'll have a bash at one of her songs."
The Beautiful Southerners have not hired anyone to fill in and Dave Hemingway and Paul deputise for her, asking for people to think liberally before embarking on 'Perfect 10' with all it's knob gags. The absence of Jacqui takes an edge away from the music, but the boys don't let it overshadow the show.
The crowd don't seem to mind and laugh as Dave and Paul mince around expressing their feminine sides. But there are some awkward holes left in some of the tracks and you get the feeling the band can't wait to finish the tour and start looking for new singers.
Listening to the set though, you realise just why The Beautiful South have had the staying power they've enjoyed for the past ten years and why they've been one of Britain's most successful acts in the Nineties. It's littered with hit singles which the crowd sing back to the band. '36 D', 'Good As Gold', 'Don't Marry Her' and 'Blackbird On The Wire' all get an airing. The horn section veers between Ska and Northern Soul, pepping up the crowd on choruses and reinforcing the powerful vocals of Paul and Dave.
There's something peculiarly British at work here and it's not hard to see why the band laboured to make an impression in the States. The Beautiful South are a lyrical band belonging more to the tradition of Alan Bennet than Tony Bennet. They sing about failure, embarrassment and alcoholism with dry humour and dance self-consciously. Whatever they're doing it certainly strikes a chord with the 30-something crowd.
Paul and Dave lead the line, bedecked in cagouls and baseball caps throughout the set, in front of an 8 man band.
Paul, by his own admission, can't remember most of the gigs he has done. But 'Old Red Eyes' himself assures the crowd the beer he occasionally swigs is but the finest non-alcoholic lager. Those who wondered if he could do it live while off the juice should be here tonight as he appears as animated as ever. He reminds me of the Happy Monday's legendary Bez while bopping away banging a tambourine and is note perfect singing and playing the harmonica.
Despite the disappointing sales of new album 'Painting It Red' and the lack of a female voice, the boys pull off a good show. Paul Heaton is still a unique leading man, but one who needs his leading lady.
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