I can remember the very first time I saw Bernard Butler in concert as if it were yesterday, even though it was now more than 22 years ago. It was under the arches at Leeds railway station, less than a mile away from here, in a sweaty, jam-packed but sadly-long-since-departed Cockpit where he appeared as one half of the dynamic pop duo McAlmont & Butler. Such was the unbridled energy, flamboyance, and excitement generated that night by this most unlikely of creative couples – they signed off with a stonking cover of Take That’s ‘Back for Good’ and their superb hit single ‘Yes’ – to this day it is still one of the greatest gigs I have been to.
By then Bernard Butler was already the best part of a decade out of Suede, a band often (mis)aligned with the Britpop movement of the ‘90s and one with which, quite unfathomably given he left them almost 30 years ago, his name is often most associated.
I next saw Bernard Butler in 2013, once again in Leeds, this time at the Brudenell Social Club in the most estimable musical company of Ben Watt of Everything But The Girl fame. In between these diverse milestones, a clear affirmation of his talent and versatility, and again since that time Butler has played and/or recorded with a succession of luminaries from Roy Orbison to the Pet Shop Boys and Altered Images to Jessie Buckley as well as finding time to release three excellent solo albums.
Approaching the stage to the strains of Donald Byrd’s euphoric ‘Cristo Redentor,’ Bernard Butler plugs in and goes immediately to the first of those solo albums, 1998’s People Move On and plays ‘My Domain’ which appears on the later deluxe edition of this record after having first seen the light of day as a B-side to early single ‘A Change of Heart.’
Two songs later Butler straps on his cherished 1961 Gibson ES-355 and returns to his debut album for an incredibly special, stripped-back reading of its imperious title track. The texture and tone that he conjures from this vintage instrument is enhanced even further by the fluidity of his playing and the beautiful, natural acoustics of this venue.
He eschews his second album Friends and Lovers altogether but is happy to draw upon newer material from Good Grief, his third and most recent album, released earlier on this year and his first such offering in a quarter of a century. Age has not withered Butler’s ear for a great tune as ‘Deep Emotions,’ one of the evening’s absolute stand-out songs firmly attests.
Bernard Butler also goes back to his old McAlmont & Butler days, recalling most fondly the aforementioned gig at The Cockpit. “A brilliant night,” he says, adding that after the show the band had gone to a neighbouring gay club from which they all eventually emerged, all, that is, except David McAlmont! Revelling in the memory, he plays ‘Although’ from the duo’s wonderful debut album The Sound of…McAlmont & Butler.
In between songs and these reminiscences, Bernard Butler entertains us with his views on a range of subjects from a dislike of churches, driving an automobile, and fedora hats that are often much favoured by dead earnest songwriters to his enjoyment of quietly observing Leeds’ nascent nightlife from his dressing room window in this building, a decent bag of crisps, and the emerging talent of his support act tonight, Ned Swarbrick.
Earlier, Swarbrick had pointed out three of his friends who were sat in the balcony. By the end of his delightful set, he will have made many more friends besides. Showcasing material from his new EP Michelangelo – which was released only yesterday – the teenager from York displayed a maturity in his songwriting and the charming confidence of his delivery that belied his tender years.
Beyond such insights, though, Bernard Butler still leaves ample time to perform a couple of songs he had recorded with the Irish actor and singer Jessie Buckley for their 2022 album, For All Our Days That Tear the Heart, ‘Souvenir’ – which, he tells us, he loves to play with another of his collaborations when alongside Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and James Grant of Love and Money – and his last two numbers of the night, ‘Pretty D’ and then finally ‘Not Alone.’
But before skipping off the stage to the valedictory sound of The Three Degrees ‘When Will I See You Again?,’ Bernard Butler also reminds us to maintain our support of grassroots and live music venues such as the Howard Assembly Room that continue to serve their local communities in what are becoming increasingly straitened times. Apart from being a fantastic songwriter, guitarist, singer, and storyteller, he impresses as also just being an all-round good guy.
Photos: Simon Godley
More photos of Bernard Butler at Howard Assembly Room
More photos of Ned Swarbrick at Howard Assembly Room
