Goldfrapp - Academy, Newcastle, 15/10/2005

  by Sarah Rowland

published: 29 / 10 / 2005

intro

At the Newcastle Academy Sarah Johnson sees Goldfrapp on top form play a superb set, which is equally matched by support act, eccentric electronic folks rockers the Shortwave Set.

The Shortwave Set were the perfect choice to support Goldfrapp, their gentle folky lyrics bopping along against a backdrop of acoustic guitar, percussion and psychedelic electronica. They had a great response from the Newcastle crowd. The stage was lit with green and orange light. The Shortwave Set used some kind of patchwork electronic machine with a gramaphone as a speaker as one of their instruments. The band themselves meanwhile looked like they had raided a 60’s junk shop. This isn’t so far from the truth, Andrew Petitt, Ulrike Bjorsne and David Farrell are all self confessed junk shop obsessives who have recorded their recently released debut album using broken instruments bought from charity shops near their homes in Deptford and Greenwich Market. They played a very laid back set. 'Yr Room' was a highlight with a plucky banjo riff that gave the song an almost oriental feel. Their forthcoming single 'Repeat to Fade' also met with a great reception, the crowd swaying to its floating lyrics. As the lead vocals are sung as a boy-girl duet the Shortwave Set have been compared to the Carpenters. Their sound, however, is a lot more eclectic and promises big things for a band that is experimental as well as folky and pop. Headliners Goldfrapp followed with a fantastic performance that blew the audience away. Alison Goldfrapp was on top form hitting some very impressive notes and giving the audience all the songs they wanted to hear. This really was a top gig with a brilliant atmosphere that lasted all night. The photographs that accompany this article were taken by Bob Stuart and orignally appeared on his own website www.underexposed.org.uk

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