Entering The
Camden Barfly, I was instantly aware that The Robbie Boyd Band’s EP Launch was
going to be something a little different. With the stage decorated with fairy lights,
candles and balloons aplenty and the offering of cupcakes and novelty wrist
bands, there was an undoubtedly immediate fondness towards tonight’s
performance.
Accompanied
by his eight-piece ensemble the London based Robbie Boyd bounds onstage to the
rapturous sound of adoring applause. Joining him onstage are his band members
fully equipped with violins, saxophones, maracas and bongos. Tonight’s sold-out
show for the Launch of new EP ‘Spring Generation’ sees an eclectic mix of fan’s
young and old ready to dosey doe the night away. Dressed accordingly, the band encompass a
traditional folk style set up consisting of plenty of velvet, waistcoats and a trademark
ukulele.
Opening
track and single ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ is a folky sing along hit which sets the tone
for tonight’s audience as a feel good folk pop party. Robbie’s charming
distinctive vocals immediately shine but fail to surpass the fantastic
musicianship which accompanies him. The audience are then treated to ‘Spring
Generation’, which with the introduction of upbeat bongo beats make the crowd
automatically move their feet as if they’ve come across a Mumford& Sons/
Friendly Fires super group. ‘Oh Alaska’s’
combination of funky bass riffs and creative composition as well as ‘The Orions
Belt’ heart-warming lyrics then see the audience absorbed in nostalgic
euphoria.
Robbie then
introduces a new song which he claims he wrote two weeks ago called ‘I Want You
to Stay’, a heartfelt anecdote which is then followed by ‘When I Believe’ from
the new EP. Both songs require call and response which the audience are more
than happy to contribute to.
First single off the new EP, ‘When I Believe’
is a more than apparent audience pleaser. The catchy chorus and pop hooks shine
enough to make this track a potential radio hit. The ukulele then makes its
comeback onstage for ‘A London Reminition’, a zealous tribute to the city.
New songs ‘Colour’s
In Your Eyes’ and ‘The Lean’ loose some of the instrumentation and embrace the
bands favourite way of engaging the audience, good old call and response,
before taking a wistful trip back their busking days and playing the aspirational
‘Take Me Back To Dreamland’.
Ending the
main set with ‘Red Queen’ the band declare their appreciation for their first
ever sold-out London show. As each member showcase their talent to the audience
with an illuminating solo during this epic set finisher, it is clear that each
are equally overwhelmed by tonight’s response.
Before an
inevitable and much anticipated encore, Robbie Boyd embraces the stage alone to
play a stripped down version of a song he states ‘Hasn’t been played live in
years’’ called ‘Never Never Land’ The haunting vocals and spine tingling acoustic
melody have the audience in complete awe until he is then joined onstage for
what is to be an impressive reprise with last song of the night ‘I Want
Something Different’.
Another motivating sing along of upbeat folk
melodies and gloriously shambolic instrumentation rounds up tonight’s party
resulting in a room of simultaneous knee jerking and head bobbing. This impressive
live show and showcase of lyrical, musical and vocal talents combined with The
Robbie Boyd band’s perfect blend of nostalgic, contagious folk-pop live will unavoidably
leave you desiring more.
