Sunday 15/06/08 Bonnie Prince Billy, Baby Dee @ Future Days, Dublin

Sunday promised to be a more sombre affair than the previous nights exertions, sombre and very strange. The legendary Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy with a piano playing transgender as support act would bring this event to a close. Surreal almost doesn’t cover it.

Baby Dee is as unique as unique can be, a harp and piano playing transsexual singing like Judy Garland gargling gravel. This is not a criticism, her songs are often touching and her unique voice almost pleads to be listened to. Her head shakes maniacally throughout the gig, whether playing the piano or a huge harp; Baby Dee is an almost terrifying sight in full flight. The music is part Broadway and part vaudeville, ‘Big Titty Bee Girl (From Dino Town)’ has the unforgettable refrain of, ‘You can’t keep a good albino down’ and ‘The Dance Of Diminishing Possibilities’ is a crazed cackling show tune with a heart. The songs range from the bizarre to the ridiculous. Whether screaming ‘Look At Me’ or assaulting a harp, Baby Dee is a musical spectacle quite unlike anything else.

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy aka Will Oldham practically bounces on stage, dressed all in white and wearing flip-flops, he seems quite elasticised and at any given moment about to break open some yoga moves. Standing to the left, his band forms a semi-circle around the stage. Opening with ‘Where’s The Puzzle’, hushed reverence is observed for the songs. The set will feature a mix of old and new including a number of tracks from his most recent album, Lie Down In The Light. His legendary status is given the respect it deserves besides some amateur comedians shouting inane comments between songs. The Prince will go on meandering tangents only to be interrupted by some clown shouting nonsense, it only begs the question why bother going to shout ****ing rubbish. It does not deter from the sumptuous music though. The band is effortlessly tight, all casually dressed and playing with an ease that every band should. During ‘You Want That Picture’, he is joined on vocals by violinist Jennifer Hutt; their voices blend beautifully together. ‘You Remind Me’ is a breathtaking aural experience as Oldham’s cracking lyrics soar.  Oldham’s fragile voice really comes to the fore during ‘I See A Darkness’, almost prompting tears amongst the crowd.

They leave the stage to rapturous applause, a legendary way to finish a weekend of superb music.  With such crap weather in this country, Future Days may just be the future of music festivals in Ireland.

See Bonnie Prince Billy in live action below: