Camera Obscura's London Shepherd's Bush Empire gig

Camera Obscura third London gig of the year (and second at SBE) was simply brilliant. The crowd today were better than the last, no doubt because the new album has been out for some time giving people a chance to familiarise with the tracks. We met plenty of fans, including a group who were next to us during the last SBE gig (this is their fourth Camera Obscura gig they have attended this year alone) and another from Texas. The set is a nice mixture of songs from their My Maudlin Career and older albums including my personal favourite - 'Eighties Fan' from Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi. It was nice to see Tracyanne smiling, joking and laughing.

Opening were Nick Garrie, a British singer songwriter who has seen more success in Europe than over here; and Magic Arm, the singer songwriter known as Marc Rigelsford - whose fusion of Beck/Daft Punk/LCD Soundsystem-like electronica and guitar rock was pretty intriguing. Both are well worth checking out.

Tuesday was Camera Obscura's final UK gig. The band will now return to the continent before heading off to the Americas for yet another leg in that continent to wrap up what must be a very busy year for them. It is brilliant that more people are discovering the Glaswegian's brand of twee pop.












Set list:
My Maudlin Career
Swans
Honey in the Sun
Tears for Affairs
Teenager
Keep it Clean
Eighties Fan
The Sweetest Thing
French Navy
Pen & Notebook
James
Let's Get Out of this Country
If Looks Could Kill
Lloyd I'm Ready to be Heartbroken

Encore:
Tougher than the Rest (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Razzle Dazzle Rose