If you want good music, you have to go and find it. A typical Saturday in Wales normally means heading to the pub or very rarely venturing out into the windswept weather to see a gig in a packed and sweaty room, returning completely sodden. But, what if that venue was a pristine chapel called The Tabernacle. Built in 1857 and set in the heart of Talgarth, a Welsh town in the sticks. Already, it sounds like a surreal experience and granted, it was.
For the past four years, The Tabernacle, Talgarth has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry, Jim Reid (The Jesus and Mary Chain), Bruce Foxton formerly of The Jam, Gruff Rhys (Super Furries) and most recently, Andy Bell and Mark Gardener of RIDE. Having just released a new album mere months ago, after taking a 20 year hiatus here are Andy Bell and Mark Gardener performing a blinding acoustic set on a Saturday evening in Talgarth.
The person responsible for putting on a string of performances is Alan McGee the once proclaimed, “King of Indie” and most recognisable for forming Creation Records in the 90’s since then Alan has gone on to form 359 Music label in 2013 a joint venture with Cherry Red Records, Creation Management with business partner, Simon Fletcher. However, now he’s turned the local chapel into a strictly acoustic venue. Keeps it biblical.
Arriving during the support act, a three piece band called Free Spirit who had a refined guitar sound, indistinguishable almost from latter-day Gomez are performing on the stage. A slightly raised wooden step which, might have been used for preaching sermons to the good people of Talgarth in the 1900’s.
At The Tabernacle, there is a distinguished feeling throughout of closeness and intimacy shared between the band and the audience. Admittedly, the venue has a capacity of 100 with a small bar area, serving Spanish beer and strong Gin and Tonics.
Free Spirit headed through a five-song set as the crowd arrived in droves, middle-aged men donned in Blue City shirts, “Liam Gallagher” haircuts and branded tracksuits almost immediately surrounded me. Lifelong fans of the Creation roster and people who hadn’t left the 90s. It made for a strange combination of local townspeople, farmers and post-acid house ravers.
As RIDE took to the stage, there was a raucous applause, an exchange of words between both Andy and Mark to the crowd before the set began with Lannoy Point, a new song from RIDE’s latest album, “Weather Diaries” which arrives 20 years later following from “Tarantula” the band’s last official album.
I headed upstairs to the “restricted” area, which turns out to be the second-floor pews. Alan McG
ee is sitting idly and we exchange a few words, before taking my place on these very important pews (VIP’s)
The set continues with “Chrome Waves”, “Home Is a Feeling” and a cover of Nick Drake’s, “Riverman”. Each song is reciprocated, word for word by the crowd. Midway through the set as Andy and Mark take time to engage with the crowd. The slightly bemused fans shout to Andy offering him a pint.
This break presents an opportunity for the duo to set off into more significant staging posts in their career, clutching songs from RIDE’s second album, the swirling “Leave Them All Behind” and debut album, “Nowhere”. Each song is seamlessly translated acoustically. Mark and Andy even performed their latest single, “All I Want”, a politically charged song addressing the mangled state of UK politics.
During the final song, a RIDE classic, “Chelsea Girl” a string goes on Bell’s 12 string, an unintentional sign signifying the closure of a 2 set with fans rushing the stage requesting “selfies” and maimed setlists.
Setlist:
Lannoy Point
Charm Assault
Chrome Waves
In A Different Plance
From Time To Time
Weather Diaries
I Couldn’t Say It To Your Face (Arthur Russell)
The Ballad of El Goodo (Big Star cover)
Home Is A Feeling
All I Want
Twisterella
Vapour Trail
River Man (Nick Drake cover)
Chelsea Girl
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