Friday 23/06/06 Jeremy Warmsley @ Barfly, Liverpool

In these halcyon days when the World Cup rightly dominates the Globe’s consciousness (it’s a lot more interesting, than say, the Iraq War. I mean, did you see Maxi Rodriguez’s goal?) Jeremy Warmsley’s neatly timed gig foreshadows England’s performance against Ecuador. After a sluggish, unsatisfying first half-half, a moment of inspiration ushers in a far stronger second half performance.

In a real white-of-their-eyes gig Warmsely – who we suspect is not a rabid football fan – opens up with a couple of songs with just an electric guitar for company. Unfortunately, a sparsely populated Barfly Loft provides an unflattering setting for an awkward opening, and it appears rather fitting when Warmsley reaches into his pocket after the first song to put away his glowing mobile phone – but not before quickly glancing to see if the message was from anyone interesting. His undoubtedly high-brow offerings continue to struggle to connect even with the introduction of a keyboardist and drummer onto the stage’s perch.

This all seems to leave the Cambridge philosophy graduate furtive, almost distracted. You could be forgiven for pondering whether Warmsley, with eyes darting around the room and hands struggling with his constantly collapsing braces, is a little nervous. But, commendably, this is not a man who gives the impression of lacking confidence in himself or his cerebral songs, which supported by a strong singing range, make no apologies for twisting and turning through impressionistic tales – and nor should they.

But placed within such a context and stripped of the electronic flourishes which colour his records, Warmsley works best live when his music and lyrics are at their most direct. First single '5 Verses', which unfolds the tale of an unlikely love-story flowering from a chance meeting in a karaoke bar, is such an example. However, it is a spirited ‘Dirty Blue Jeans’ mid-way through the set which really provides the ‘Beckham moment’ and finally propels the gig into life with a zestful burst.

Followed by a similarly energised ‘15 Broken Swords’ and the curiously sexy ‘Other People’s Secrets’, Warmsley and his band palpably relax and deliver a more satisfying conclusion than the early performance promised. We are left to march a mite more optimistically into the next round - or in this case the next bar.