Camden Crawl 2005

8 hours, 10 venues and 40 of the hottest bands of the moment. Welcome to the Camden Crawl 2005. Add into the mixture a few thousand punters, rather a lot of alcohol and the odd 90s indie pop star* and the result is a night that promises to give even the most hardened gig goers a run for their money. Unfortunately it becomes clear from very early on that not even Superman, let alone seasoned musos could catch more than a handful of bands on the bill. With venues spread across too wide an area and start times not being staggered, even if you did leave The Others at the Barfly part way through to catch Sons and Daughters at Underworld, there’s still no guarantee you’d get in. The result is an agonising decision whether to remain in a single venue all night in order to catch the headliner or take your chances and possibly stumble across the unknown.

‘Ready Art Brut?’ asks Eddie Argos onstage at Lock 17. In response the band launch into a set comprising of gems such as ‘Bad Weekend’, ‘Modern Art’ and ‘Emily Kane’. Seemingly destined to fill the eccentric gap left by Jarvis Cocker, Luke Haines et al, the mix of humour and pathos make even the most upbeat songs rather touching (‘I’ve seen her naked. Twice!’ shouts Argos during one ditty about a new girlfriend). By the time ‘Formed A Band’ reaches it’s culmination, Argos has already leapt off stage and done a lap of honour round the venue, returning in a slightly dishevelled albeit endearing state. If everyone, as Argos urges them to do, ‘formed a band’ as good as Art Brut then the world would be a richer, bouncier place. It’s a shame then that Hard-Fi have fallen very short of the requirement. Despite a wonderful first single, live they lack anything to make them stand head and shoulders above the million of others around at the moment. And the singer has the looked of waxed eyebrows about him. Oh dear.

Making a swift exit from Lock 17 I’m met with the dilemma as to whether to go to Koko and catch Maximo Park or attempt to infiltrate the Dublin Castle where Mr Graham Coxon is headlining this evening. Seeing as Koko is about a mile away and I’ve always had a thing for geeks in glasses, the Castle seems the obvious choice but on arrival I’m faced with a queue bigger than Johnny from The Others hair. However, thanks to some blatant blagging and more than a little help from The Crib’s manager, I finally gain access.

The back room at the Dublin Castle can just about squeeze in 200 people so for Coxon, whose face is a regular spot around Camden’s fair streets, to be playing here is something of a homecoming. This combined with a year of sold out gigs, a critically acclaimed album and general all round greatness makes for a jubilant, if daunting, atmosphere. ‘Toby’s got his policeman’s hat on’ smirks Coxo after his guitarist begs for a little calm from the crowd who are already spilling over onto the stage. Undeterred by the cramped conditions we’re treated to a blistering set which includes recent album highlights such as ‘No Good Time’, ‘Bittersweet Bundle of Misery’ and the infectious ‘Freakin’ Out’ as well as the odd b-side (‘Right to Pop’). Closing the set with the frenzied riot of ‘Who The Fuck?’ the audience is reduced to a very sweaty and slightly bruised euphoric mess.

So, only 2 and a bit bands seen out of a possible 40 but for £15, a free CD and the opportunity of seeing Coxon in such a small venue it’s worth it. For those less lucky enough to catch the bands they wanted and forced to roam the remaining venues the night proved less rewarding. Yes, you might catch someone you’d never think of going to see but when they turns out to be Goldie Lookin’ Chain, it’s a bit of a poor substitute. Despite being better on paper than in planning the Crawl still offers a great showcase for both new and established acts and, as we stumble off into the night in search of a party, a return trip next year seems fairly certain.

* Wayne, ex of Catch (Bingo!) and Thirteen: 13 fame fact fans.