Johnny Borrell and Zazou, 100 Club, gig review: Bigmouth strikes again
Gig was like something you’d stumble across in a far flung corner of Glastonbury as played by people who got dressed blindfolded in a costume shop
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Since he stormed onto the post-Libertines scene in a blaze of drugs, cheekbones and braggadocio, (“Dylan’s making the chips, I’m drinking champagne”), Johnny Borrell baiting has been something of a national pastime.
So when Razorlight inevitably fractured and his debut album, Borrell 1 (of course), a ragbag collection of cabaret tunes with so much sax you thought it was a dare, sold less than 600 copies in its first week, the schadenfruede was gleeful.
Undeterred, bigmouth is striking again. Forthcoming album The Atlantic Culture bravely picks up the baton from its predecessor. It is a world away from “America”: tonight we get everything from blues, jazz, music hall, skiffle, rhumba and, yes, rock n roll - sometimes in the space of one song.
It’s as absurd as it sounds, like something you’d stumble across in a far flung corner of Glastonbury as played by people who got dressed blindfolded in a costume shop. And while “The Artificial Night” and “Camera Song” show Borrell’s (golden) touch with a melody hasn’t deserted him, it’s hard to imagine Zazou faring much better second time around. Yet as his smile beams throughout, that is perhaps the point.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments