The Sheffield
maestro takes to the East London stage tonight in fine form. Hawley is enjoying
a run of well-deserved success after his current album 'Standing At The Sky's
Edge' was nominated for a Mercury Music Award (his second in his solo career).
The ascendancy he is in has evidently given Hawley a lot of confidence.
His buoyant mood on stage creates the love and affection radio djs spend
years trying to perfect with audiences.
The set consists
largely of tracks from the current album and the crowd are left staring on in
awe as he’s fine band churn out the Bo Diddley and Duane Eddy meets Pink Floyd
numbers. 'Don't Stare At the Sun' displays Hawley in all his glory tonight. His
vocals lend themselves to something loving; here it is the simple story of
flying a kite with his son. Meanwhile, the guitars get across the fact he
was on acid during this story perfectly as they swirl from soaring highs to
twisted lows.
He barely
visits his 3 previous crooner albums but gems such as 'Tonight The Streets Are
Ours' and 'Open Up Your Doors' bring about slack jawed stares of worship from
the sold out crowd tonight. The romantic element of these songs brings tenderness
that cannot be seen but is undeniably felt by all.
Some particular uninhibited couples even take to slow dancing which
is particularly pertinent in this grand ballroom setting.
Hawley and co
played a new song only aired 3 times previous tonight and it was a perfect
segue from the crooning brilliance of 'Coles Corner' and the rock-psyche of
'Standing At The Sky's Edge'. 'Standing At The Sky's Edge' was born
out of grief of a departed friend and tinges the album with
a melancholy that sums the up the helplessness of mourning. On this
new track however, the ambiance is more optimistic and adopts a carefree rock n
roll musicality which should have everyone so excited they misunderstand
everything they hear whilst on jury service.
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