On a night when the rain just wouldn’t stop and the last of
summer had been washed away for good, Richard Hawley had the difficult task of
making people forget what was outside for a few hours. For many Hawley has been
under valued for years but with his latest release ‘Standing at the Sky’s Edge’
his legendary status is being cemented. He is one of only a few musicians ever
to be nominated twice for a Mercury Music Prize and currently he is mesmerizing
audience up and down the country with his performances.
He walks onto the stage as the personification of cool, his
dark hair in a quiff and dressed in all black. Trees surrounding the stage
create an ethereal feel that perfectly matches Hawley’s magical performance. The
music stand in front of him making him look like a minister in front of a
lectern, you can’t stop being drawn to him. Talking to the audience throughout,
occasionally a foulmouthed yet witty retort to the few people not completely
engrossed in the songs, he balances being charming and humble.
Considering the capacity of the venue Hawley makes the
performance feel intimate, it’s almost as if a friend has picked up a guitar
and sung to you after a dinner party. Tracks like the existential ‘Leave Your
Body Behind You’ and ‘Don’t Stare at the Sun’ showcase his talents as a
songwriter and allow him to reveal his abilities as a masterful guitar player. As
the gig closes with ‘Ocean’ a couple of women can be noticed crying and a sense
that greatness has touched the room can be felt.
Published in Yorkshire Evening Post
