Where Stars Are Born - Camden Crawl 2009

“I’m like a Sunday morning fry up” says Adam Ficek of Roses Kings Castles at The Spread Eagle; after the excess of yesterday, he’s not far off the mark as he holds an affably astute and acoustic court to just 35 people. Peppered with whispers of “who’s this guy on stage” the set is a mix of old and new with ‘Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid’, ‘I Killed You’, ‘Sparkling Boots’ and ‘Brass Winter’ satisfying the tiny audience far more than any full English could.

Back towards the heart of Camden and The Good Mixer is bursting with the dirty country shenanigans of Moon Music Orchestra. It's all cider smiles, or rather that of a hip-flask being passed around the seven strong band who play a Ho-Down of a set that fuses multiple guitars with the psychedelic pace-keeping of a well used Hammond as ‘Baby On My Mind’, ‘Round Tripping’, ‘Nothing I Do’ and ‘News From Nowhere’ whip the crowd into a mid-day frenzy.

Back at The Spread Eagle and it’s strictly one in one out (or rather no-one out no-one in) and you have to ask yourself why until three security guards usher him in. He of course is Graham Coxon - but even he has to fight for space to make it to the stage. It’s like a greenhouse in here, some punters are suffering from heat exhaustion as are the light fittings which start to pop out of the fixtures and fittings as Coxon, sat very low on the stage, swaps between acoustic guitar, electric guitar and clarinet to play ‘This House’, ‘Sorrows Army’ and ‘Perfect Love’. The only you know what reference is made by a crowd shout of “you’re better than Blur”; Coxon’s reaction is to burp before wrapping up his surprise appearance with ‘If You Want Me’.

It’s as equally sweaty at The Earl Of Camden as new soul sensation Elviin plays like his life depends on it. Sat at a red piano with two backing singers, a bass player and drummer for company, he has complete control of the crowd and his incredible vocal, opening his set, aptly, with ‘Control’. In fact his vocal is the only thing in the room with space to move as his articulate rendition of ‘Paraphernalia’, ‘Worth Getting Arrested For’ and ‘In Colour’ stun a crowd fighting for space.

The Black Cap is more like a holding area than a pub as Sportsday Megaphone holds his own with an enthusiastic albeit perfunctory performance for those waiting to see the following act. ‘Meet Me In The Middle’, ‘Adventures After Hours’, ‘LA’ and ‘Black Plastic’ are played out well but his bedroom based electro-pop is no match for Golden Silvers who kick start with ‘Shakes’ - a fitting reflection of a so far debauched weekend. To say they’re incredible would be an understatement as ‘Magic Touch’, ‘The Seed’ and ‘Queen Of The 21st Century’ and ‘Arrows Of Eros’ override the promise of their debut album and the capacity crowd, intent on dancing, jump on any elevated surface they can find, to do just that.

A Fall gig is a unique experience; no two are the same, as Mark E Smith makes up the rules, his rules as he goes along. Tonight at the Electric Ballroom is no exception. Wearing a support belt around his waist, he looks, old, tired and out of shape. (He rarely looks much better.) The audience, a mix of hardcore and plain curious collectively marvel at the legendary front-man and his predictable unpredictability. He’s off stage, on stage, sat behind amps, as his band play a tight and fast paced set with ‘Strange Town’, ‘Wolf Kidult’, ‘Cowboy George’ and ’50 Yr Old Man’ delivered and absorbed with fanatical frenzy. ‘Over Over’ and ‘Latch Key Kid’ finish the set as MES throws two microphones to a crowd who daren’t touch let alone attempt to use them as he limps off the stage; a fitting end to a cracking weekend.

CLICK HERE to see photos from day two.