DEVENDRA BANHART at Shepherds Bush Empire, Tues Dec 15 - LIVE REVIEW

To any budding executive native to the London area, the working week flashes by in a flurry of fleeting lunch breaks, claustrophobic episodes on public transport and interminable business excursions to unchartered hinterlands. After sustaining the burn of hard day’s work, wallowing in the arms of homely comforts is a divine luxury. Somewhat paradoxically, tonight’s evening out is all about these homely pleasures.

Unfolding within the regal surroundings of The Shepherds Bush Empire, the prince of modern folk casually ambles onto the stage with his backing band. Nonchalantly dispensing with the need for a support act, Devendra Banhart & The Groggs, shuffle onto the stage in single file with the happy-go lucky swagger of truant school kids.

A swirl of sporadic taps on the snare drum is knocked out by the drummer-boy clad head to foot in a sensationally fluffy yeti costume. Gentle waves from shaking maracas blend with nomadically inspired acoustic melodies as the band set the tone with ‘Can’t Help But Smiling’.

Devendra and the boys beam with their Cheshire-Cat grins as they segue effortlessly into an assortment of songs from their latest LP: ‘What Will We Be’. The set list being sincerely delivered to the adoring audience encompasses rustically woven folk ballads, to vocal collaborations as a barber shop quartet.

With the wide eyed audience in the palm of his hands, The Groggs make for the right hand stage exit as Devendra treats the congregation to a spate of acoustic compositions.

Sporting slim-cut denim jeans and a cabin boy’s woolly hat, he stands up and draws the microphone-stand closer to his torso. Tilting his head towards the microphone with the apprehensive sway of a first kiss, he delivers a sugar-coated monologue about how the next song ‘paints kismet in experience’. Thunderous shuddering starts to emanate from the bass drum and the band call the curtains to a close with an amped up rendition of ‘Rats’.

The fabric of the show has been woven with introspective lyrics that envelope the audience with a unique candour. Definitely the type of performer you’d happily introduce your Grandmother to…time to put the kettle on!

Words: Sixty G