Saturday 26/02/05 Brendan Benson @ Barfly, Cardiff

His broad appeal is evident from those who have turned out in force for the gig. From the Barfly regulars to middle aged couples, to a group of excited Ashlee Simpson wannabe types to smart Welsh lads, Brendan Benson has clearly reached far and above a generic rock and roll demographic. Support bands 5 O Clock Heroes and Psychid were at least in a similar vein to Benson, with a handful of jaunty pop rock tracks, but neither managed to grab the audience attention with any killer tunes. The greatest impact either made was during Benson’s performance when a handful of Psychid followers saw fit to heckle and yell the bands name. Very grown up guys, you make us all proud.

 

In all fairness, they were heckling the Cincinnati based singer songwriter on his taste in shirts, which was pretty lousy, but Benson’s set more than made up for the oversight in his wardrobe. The current tour is in promotion of current album, ‘Alternative To Love’ and it is his greatest yet. Opening with the album’s storming finale, ‘Between Us,’ the set contained mostly new material from the new album including the forthcoming single, ‘Spit It Out’. So instant is Benson’s music, that even these new tracks were received like old favourites.

 

Benson didn’t take much time to talk to the audience, but did not need to due to the strength of his material. However, the true affection for Benson was clearly evident during the tunes from his ‘Lapalco’ album, including ‘Tiny Spark’ and ‘Good To Me’, which had almost the entire audience singing along. Quite a feat for a musician yet to score a notable hit album or single. With the release of his new material however, this could all change, and indeed Brendan Benson’s current tour may be his last in dark, overcrowded, indie clubs.