Not content with delivering the finest album of this year, the Delgados now set about reproducing it live. The strength of 'The Great Eastern' lies in the marriage of excellent songwriting and imaginative arrangements, and the Delgados aren't going to sell it short tonight. For a start, this is one of the most impressive venues in London - when it's not hosting gigs it's a fully functioning church - and secondly, the Delgados have extended their basic four piece line-up to encompass the ten strong ensemble which made the album.
After a lengthy and uneventful support slot from Electric Music (disappointing, considering that their debut album 'North London Spiritualist Church' isn't half bad), the Delgados amble on to the spiralling refrain of 'Knowing When to Run'.
If there is one criticism you can make it's that their stage presence is a bit lacking; it's almost as if, having made this extraordinary music, they're still a bit shy to be playing it to us! However, it's really only the music we need and we're treated to all of the new album, plus a couple from the equally excellent 'Peloton'. The dramatic arrangements really come to the fore on 'No Danger' and the revamped early song 'Thirteen Gliding Principles', while never being too bombastic so that the song is lost.
Highlights are many, but the classic 'Pull The Wires From The Wall' is a definite favourite, as is new single 'American Trilogy' (have you seen the bizarre video yet?!). 'Reasons for Silence' hints at earlier folk heroes like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, 'Aye Today' floats along in waltz time and 'Accused of Stealing' is probably one of the most immediate tracks from the album.
No doubt this was a big budget operation tonight, but it did 'The Great Eastern' justice. Mighty.