Cider with Courtney

As Debs and I saw the Super Furries at Somerset House when we were courting we decided to go see Courtney Barnett this summer as Debs hasn't seen her yet. After idling away a pleasant summer's evening on the South Bank we arrive at Somerset House having missed the support and eschewing the long long bar queues find a lonely friendly wandering cider seller with a convenient "Cider" flag who was easy to spot throughout the evening. Soon enough CB3 take the stage and launch into a rocking set ranging from singer songwriter style old school R n R country tinged tunes to full on head down no nonsense mindless boogie. Well, that was me anyway. The surprisingly ageing crowd, or maybe not given this is Somerset House and the price, appreciated the band and CBs chat but not enough to form a mosh pit. I few jumps up and down was about as mad as it got. I guess they ain't FWF are they. Although in some ways they have similarly retrospective rock roots and quirky lyrics documenting modern life. And great videos. They play a lot from the newish album and also the old faves the only downside is that the lyrics aren't that easy to hear which sort of takes away a significant part of why you'd want to listen to Courtney in the first place. Regardless it's a great gig and the band are as tight as the result of the EU referendum - but here everyone is on the side of Remain which they do for a short encore before the drummer and bassist leave just CB on stage getting maximum feedback from her guitar before a final wave to us and the stage is empty and the house muzak is on before we can shout for more. Lovely way to spend a Wednesday evening. Walking back through the Temple back roads we encounter a guy doing minimalist graffiti on a wall in chalk. We have a chat and it seems that he's trying to give up the booze and variously bumming money of folk. He offers me tobacco with no papers and I buy one of the pictures from his notebook for a generous amount of cash as I was a little sheeted to the wind and also always feel that if I've spent a load of dosh on an evening out the least I can do is to support street living habits whether booze drugs or simply getting a bed for the night. I hope he spent it wisely. Probably on shoes as he had a very clean new looking pair of Nikes on his feet. Ah well, who am I to judge what others spend their cash on.

CB3 singing

CB3 rocking

CB

Chalking Graffiti Artist Artwork