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Gig Review

Robert Forster
London, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Article written by James G - Sep 27, 2008

Robert Forster

Robert Forster commenced the first half of this gig solo, just him and his accoustic guitar. And, via songs such as 'Love Is A Sign', we could hear just how rich and warm that idiosyncratic voice still is. That voice, which, along with the sadly missed Grant McLennan (is it over 2 years already?), spearheaded the unique Go-Betweens sound during the Eighties and, later, the Noughties.The second half of the gig featured the full four-piece band, and classics such as Spring Rain, Surfing Magazine and Quiet Heart (one of few McLennan moments) were given an airing. And these songs, like Robert Forster, have matured well.

Just four people on stage – and still that unmistakeable sound. Restrained playing. Restrained words. Still left of centre. Slightly out of phase. Slightly… I don’t know. The Go-Betweens had their own special niche, and the melancholia oozing up from the stage was both uplifting and deeply affecting. This was the first performance Robert Forster had made on these shores since the passing of his… it seems trite just to call him his bandmate. But, the performance of ‘Demon Days’ (written with McLennan shortly before his death) allowed the spirit of McLennan to touch us all.

We can forgive some rocky posturing and self-indulgent jamming late on. We can forgive occasional moments of weakness by the 21 year-old drummer (it may have been a technical thing) and we can forgive Robert Forster’s shiny suit – at least it wasn’t lime green…

Robert Forster, the more introspective, somewhat darker, more analytical side of the Go-Betweens is one of the good guys, and although over 50, can still touch an audience with his words like few others.

Links:
http://www.robertforster.net/