Certain things are facts. For example, on Monday at approximately 8pm it was both dark and cold. The reason I could tell it was dark is because I have eyes. And the reason I knew it was cold is because the amount of air visible by my breath was enough for people in the Isle of Skye to think I’m sending out distressed smoke signals. Plus, the digital thermometer that sits within one of the huge billboards on Old Street roundabout informed passers by that it was minus 143°C; or something of that ilk.Following on from this, just like I realised I can’t take frost bite on every part of my body, other facts also came to surface on during the ealier part of this week. And most notably was the undeniable, indisputable, unarguable fact that a certain singer songwriter, that now resides in North London, is an underground hero. And nothing showcased this more than the scenes that took place in the Hoxton B&K on Monday night.
There was an unnatural calm to the Shoreditch air on Monday. The traffic was minimal and the normal hustle and bustle of city slickers meeting East London trendies was gone. The feeling was very much reminiscent of a deserted town. It wasn’t until you made your way through the back streets of Old Street and into Hoxton Square that there was any sign of life. Here lie a congregation of likeminded individuals who had braved the arctic conditions in order to be entertained by their underground hero, Mr Kid Harpoon.
If you visit this website often then you’ll know that I am a big fan of Harpoon. The wordsmithery that Harpoon posses is far advanced to the majority. And the skill he posses to execute erudite songs live is scarily good. However, bearing in mind I am a fan, I always try to write without a weighted point of view. Yet, the performance that Harpoon delivered on Monday can’t be described in any other way than awesome. It was live music as it was meant to be listened to. It came complete with passion, intelligence, talent and a bucket load of feeling.The live room at the Hoxton B&K is a gem. It creates a good clear sound whilst being able to pack a punch. And it's intimate whilst being big enough to create an electric atmosphere. It was here that 450 Kid Harpoon fans would witness something quite special.
By the time clock hit 10:15pm and Kid Harpoon was due onstage the venue was rammed. Spindle & Wit and Kurran & the Wolfnotes played their part in providing the entertainment early on. Individually, both bands provided a soundtrack fitting for the evening ahead. And with the atmosphere building quicker than Elvis’ cholesterol after eating 14 Big Macs whilst sitting on the toilet, the mood was set perfectly for the nights proceedings.
Harpoon then took the stage, where his band was waiting, to be welcomed by a cocktail of wolf whistles and cheers. And was at this point, before he had even picked up a guitar, that everyone knew it was going to be a memorable night. Then not a second too soon, the instantly recognisable riff of Stealing Cars reverberated around the room generating a reaction reminiscent of a seasoned great.
Kid Harpoon has appeal on many different levels. He writes good music, performs it well and is genuinely likeable. He bobs, weaves, ducks and dives his way through each song, and it interacts with the crowd between them. The energy that Harpoon whips up on stage feeds into the crowd creating a mass of people wearing nothing but smiles. And with each song being delivered with total confidence and ease, Monday was no different.
Harpoon is very much at a crossroads in his career now. If he continues on this vain, the mainstream will not be able to hide from him. Therefore meaning the people on the underground that love him will soon have to share their love with the rest of the nation.
Kid Harpoon played:
Stealing Cars
Burn Down House
Don’t Cry On Me
Unknown
Back From Beyond
Flowers By The Shore
Once
Unknown
Here Comes the Milkmaid
Riverside
Late for Devil
First We Take Manhattan
