14/10/2011 Patchwork Grace & Lilygun in Camden

Subject	Patchwork Grace & Lilygun in Camden
DateCreated	11/9/2011 3:47:00 PM
	Another attempt at getting to two gigs tonight - more successful this time. It helps that both are in Camden. First port of call is The Unicorn to see Patchwork Grace. This Nottingham band draw a modest but regular crowd at their London shows. Apart from tonight - where was everybody?  Not a single one of the usual suspects - even though this was a free gig! In spite of the free entrance, there still weren't that many people in the place.  London's Patchwork Grace fans missed rather a bizarre show, but certainly an entertaining one! As is usually the case at free gigs with no security on the door to keep any undesirables out, the crowd was an odd mix of genuine music fans, the simply curious, pub regulars, and the local druggies and alkies.  A couple of the latter were obviously getting quite into the show, even though they obviously had not the faintest idea who they were watching - and they probably didn't care either.  Still, they were having a good time and not doing anyone any harm - which is what a good night out is all about.  Unfortunately, one of the said regulars was so far gone that he didn't quite 'get' Tori's stage act. This tends to involve falling down and lying on the floor, a certain amount of rolling around and generally getting tangled up with the mic stand while generally looking in a state of disarray. Our inebriated punter seemed to think Tori had fallen over (much like he might himself) and was having trouble getting up - so he clambered onstage to assist what he perceived as a 'damsel in distress' - whether she wanted it or not! The poor singer tried to push him away and explain that she didn't need any help thanks - and he seemed to eventually get the message. Until a song or two later when he got onto the stage again to 'assist' Tori! He meant well, and the chanteuse could see the funny side of it at first, but eventually she got fed up of him interfering with her act and had to request him to desist in a less polite terms!  It was certainly the most unusual show I have seen Patchwork Grace play, but I'm not sure it was an experience the band are in a hurry to repeat... I have to rush off as soon as the band finish playing and jump on the bus south to Mornington Cresent. Fortunately I am taking my first picture at the Purple Turtle only 31 minutes after taking my last picture at The Unicorn. Less fortunately I have missed The Marianna Hollow, but am in plenty of time to see Lilygun's set. This band don't get out and play often enough, but at least recently they have had a good excuse as they have been busy recording their debut album. As a taster free CDs of the song 'Scum' are distributed to lucky punters tonight. Lilygun turn in an energetic and dynamic performance tonight, and the new lineup of the band is starting to gel. There is a good crowd in the Purple Turtle tonight - in fact the largest I've seen Lilygun play to. The band are very well recieved by the audience, who certainly appreciate the mixture of Goth, Glam, and Grunge fronted by the enigmatic Anna Christina. Lilygun seem to be building a bit of a following and it will be interesting to see how they can capitalise on this with their album launch, but before that they will be playing at this same venue at the Gotham festival next month. Watch this space...