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Weird Dreams - Choreography (album)

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Gig Review

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
London, Old Vic Tunnels

Article written by Paul M - Mar 13, 2011

Edward Sharpe, etc

The venue is a number of linked 19th century tunnels under Waterloo, one of Britain’s busiest railway stations. It’s dimly lit and filled with dry ice, presumably to give it a Victorian foggy effect, and is populated by an array of oddball young costumed character actors and performers, criss crossing the borders between amusing and irritating depending on your mood and whether you enjoy being approached by someone pretending to be drunk or eyeballed by a lesbian seventh bride of Dracula.

The support acts are equally varied. Fire eaters, harpists, burlesque dancers, trapeze performers, jugglers and puppeteers all come and go, along with one more traditional bluesy folk band, featuring a Magnetic Zero, and a talented pair of human beatboxers, whose presence at the time the main act are scheduled to appear, merely delays things to the extent that some of us must leave for last trains before the finale. Before we depart, cursing our misfortune, we are thoroughly entertained though by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. With just shy of a dozen people on the stage, all dressed in something between boho and hobo attire and plenty of chops fur on the fellas, it’s all very reminiscent of a 60s/70s show like Hair. Indeed frontman Alex Ebert has the look and Messianic air (though hopefully not the blood lust) of a Charles Manson and despite all that’s going on around him, it’s him your eyes are repeatedly drawn to. Rather appropriately, the songs also have that cheery feel of a gospel/folk rock musical, all material being drawn out, slow building to huge never ending euphoric choruses, where the audience is expected to sing and clap along. It’s an invigorating memorable experience, just a shame that I can’t stick around to hear the sublime Home aired.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/edwardsharpe