LIVE: Adam Green

Venue: Club Academy
Date: 11th April 2008
Firstly, the Paddingtons were only. As punk as ever and showcasing a fistful of new material (in fact the only old song they played was "Panic Attack"). It would have been nice for some older material to be integrated into the new stuff but at least they've still got catchy, if slightly embryonic lyrics, and music that makes you want to jump about (or head nod vigorously). And then Noah and the Whale with Rebecca (Slow Club) on xylophone and harmonies. Chatter subsided once the songs kicked in and "Five Years Time" was near perfect with whistles and hand claps and whimsical lyrics with songs like "Peaceful the World Lays Me Down" taking the pace down only to be whizzed up with "Jocasta". Their range of talent and musical instruments is matched with gloriously poetical lyrics.
Adam Green, in a word, amazing. Whipping through countless songs it was a charming, witty and at times shambolic. Giggles inflitrated songs, lyrics were half forgotten and amps blew up (resulting in an impromtu acoustic performance); stage banter came in the form of an odd retelling of an alien popping out of a band mate which Adam claimed (in a 5 year olds voice) "I gave it a blow job". Riiiiight. Bounding onto the stage with quite the bit of enthusiasm the audience were treated to a greeting "Hello Manchesthair; Man Chest Hair; this is my man chest hair" whilst high-fiving audience members and clad in a fetching shirt which dripped tassles from the sleeves. It was a performance unsurpassed by anyone I've ever seen and wildly eccentric. This eccentricity bleeds into his lyrics too; "Mozzarella Swastikas" claiming "Well we came upon a cracker/ and we came on this cracker/ and the last one had to eat it/ and she did" (this being punctuated with giggles and "This is the best bit, listen up!"). During some of the acoustic bits chatter sounded up; only to be shushed by Green and audience alike. Songs like "Nat King Cole" and "Pay the Toll" bled perfectly into one another whilst also demonstrating how the sound has matured with a full band as seen in songs like "Morning after Midnight". It was a show of many parts with a hilarious and unique front man; joined half way through by Josh and Tom from the Paddintons they performed a 'new' song "Ladyboy" (or something like that) which claimed "Your from Thialand/ thats not my land". Urrg there is too much to recount but suffice to say it was quite the evening. And he sand "Dance with Me" and "Emily" and "What a Waster" abnd "Getting Led" and "Gemstones" as well as leading a crowd sing-a-long with a few too many reprisals of "Cocabana" (I think that is how you spell it?!). Well anyway, it was much, much better than good and better than a shot in the foot anyday!

Jade xx
Dance with Me - Adam Green
Mozzarella Swastikas- Adam Green
Morning After Midnight- Adam Green