Thursday 28/09/06 Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly!, Keith, Metronomy @ Rock City, Nottingham

Tonight’s show by all accounts could have sold out 3 or 4 times over, but Get Cape Wear Cape Fly! has decided not to bump it up to the main room, rather he’s retained that sticky, sweaty atmosphere only 300 people stuffed into a small room can create.  Perhaps Sam Duckworth doesn’t want to rush it, safe in the knowledge he will grace the main stage in the near future - either way the popularity of tonight’s show is testament to the blossoming success of the Cape family.  The last time he played it was just Duckworth a guitar and a laptop, tonight it is those three accompanied by trumpets, drums, electronics and numerous extra characters onstage to create a more professional and less DIY style show.  Yes that does lose some of the charm, but the intimacy is still evident as the headliners stroll through the crowd chatting happily with fans while the support acts play.

It’s very nice to see Metronomy on tonight’s bill, a band with more than a passing resemblance to Hot Chip and always willing to experiment.  Their synthy percussion led tracks seem a little lifeless to begin with however making them feel a bit like a straight line rather than a wave of ups and downs.  The crunchy dance beats eventually change the pace and the introductions of everything from a keyboard to a cornet ensure they are a spectacle by the close of their set. Keith provide a funkier upbeat tempo and transform the atmosphere.  This Manchester based band are a mix of indie and electronica in equal measure and the similarities to The Rapture and the Music won’t harm them.

Just as the ceiling starts dripping Mr Duckworth and his band arrive and with a little humble introduction launch into the opening two tracks off the album ‘One More With Feeling’ and ‘The Oak Tree’.  The set really picks up on the back of ‘War of the Worlds’ however, one of the strongest tracks on his debut album.  Duckworth still feels like a one man band at times with a harmonica attached to him like an ugly dental brace during his cover of The Flaming Lips’ ‘Race for Prize’.  As ever he puts his Billy Bragg hat on and speaks to us honestly about the issues which we should take notice of, most notably his condemnation of the British National Party, a particularly bold move in mind of the alleged links this venue has had to the party in the 25 years of its history.  Duckworth isn’t a man to dodge issues however and although his lyrics and music are powerful enough you feel that he is as desperate to communicate his message as he is to play his songs.  This is a double edged sword, one punter shouts “boring!” as he speaks while others applaud; it seems Duckworth is as divisive as the issues he addresses.

Oddly enough an hour seems too long for him with the pre-encore finish of ‘Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager Part 1’ wrapping things up just 45 minutes after the start.  The encore cover of ‘Abracadabra’ by the Steve Miller band helps the show no end however, providing a riotous finish and an exciting sense of spontaneity.  The performance is solid and at times exciting but there is only so far you can take what is essentially an acoustic show.  Duckworth looks set for big things whether you agree with his strong views or not and his ability to entertain is undoubted, but he will lose some of the atmosphere when he moves out of the smaller and sweatier UK venues and starts moving upwards.