Indigo2 is part of the new O2 center in Greenwich that just opened, so obviously I was quite intrigued to find out how it was. Well, the center itself is frankly quite gloomy, with only chain restaurants and bars (Slug and Lettuce, Pizza Express and so on) with a blank light that gave it the sterile atmosphere one expects in a hospital...There was an exhibition of Gibson guitars customized by celebrities though (Jeff Beck, Skin, The Editors ...) which was more like the kind of things I wanted to see...
As for the venue itself, Indigo2 is not bad, although I found the fancy bar a bit discouraging (not to mention the price...). I was standing, but it seemed to me that the upstairs balcony was so high that those upstairs surely couldn't see the stage! Maybe not though...
The opening act was Ruarri Joseph, and as usual when I see a guy on his own with a guitar, I was a bit defiant at first. I must say though that he managed to keep me interested pretty much through his whole set, as unlike what I expected all the songs did not sound alike. He even sang one A Capella, which was objectively not a good idea as it sounded like bad hip-hop, but show-wise that was pretty cool.
His biggest flaw in my mind were his lyrics; maybe it is just me but I find it difficult to relate to songs about having kids, being married or loving one's mum...
He mentioned that he usually plays with a band, which I am sure makes him sound much more exciting.
Oh, and good sense of humor, too! For that he reminded me quite a bit of Hawksley Workman (without the amazing voice though).
And then, Cake. Strange band. They had a hit about ten years ago with a song called "The Distance", and have stayed very low-key since. The bearded singer is both very quiet and extremely charismatic, which I find a curious combination.
They started with a song about being a rich kid wanting to be Rock'n'Roll, that they dedicated to Rod Steward... Then Frank Sinatra, my favorite song of theirs, was a delight.
They kept on for about an hour and a half of songs, mixing wisely dark songs with trumpets and brighter ones were the singer quite expertly made the crowd sing.
He was also very funny , cracking jokes between songs, and I found his second-degree humor brilliant, although it might not be everyone's taste... As in when he split the crowd in two to sing in turns, saying to the right side things like "you hate those lefties, they don't read the bible, show them and sing louder" and so on...
There was nothing mind-blowing musically, but it was definitely a good evening of music. No wonder they have managed to keep through the years a small but faithful group of fans!
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