The Twang at the Tabernacle
Converting churches into music venues is nothing new, but this one, The Tabernacle, is a pleasant surprise; it’s small, compact and tucked away amongst the towering townhouses of Notting Hill. The church closed in the 70s, yet the building itself remained as a gig venue and community hub; the bar is abuzz as locals chat over beers and pub grub, while a tiny photo gallery in the corner displays faces of the neighbourhood from decades past.
And so, Birmingham indie band The Twang are here tonight to kick off a short run of acoustic shows. Wooden beams, wooden floors, church pews and plastic chairs? This venue is a charmingly quaint setting; London really is full of hidden gems.
Frontman Phil Etheridge, backing vocalist Rio Hellyer, and Ash Sheehan and Stu Hartland on guitars walk on, perch on their stools, say “hello” and dive straight into Barney Rubble while the last few bar stragglers shuffle in. Sat like a nervous toddler, Etheridge takes a moment to acknowledge his nerves – no matter, as the room cheers in encouragement before the appropriately bright Beer, Sunshine & Wine and the Dylan-esque Amsterdam, complete with harmonica.
The evening continues, and Etheridge eventually relaxes, chatting with fans in the front row and the furthest reaches at the back. He even calls out the out-of-time clapping after It Feels Like (You’re Wasting My Time), but every few songs, he shares his genuine gratitude, frequently sipping beer and offering flippant remarks.
One unfortunately common behaviour that tends to rear its head during acoustic gigs such as this is the audible chatter from certain people: those having a catch-up with their mate, raising their voices while the band plays on. If you’re not going to listen, could you not adjourn somewhere away from the music so the rest of the room can hear the music they’ve paid to enjoy? The gig etiquette downfall discussion continues…
Thankfully, the chatter subsides getting into the second half of the setlist, with the sing-alongs getting louder and more enthusiastic – Wide Awake, Got Me Sussed and Drinking in LA all receive huge reactions, while Sheehan ditches his guitar here and there for other instruments like the trumpet and the melodica. If The Kinks came from 21st-century Birmingham, Mainline would probably be the result, while Etheridge explains the plaintive Izal was amusingly inspired by learning from a friend that this was a loo roll brand.
The night comes to its end, and Etheridge says, “We’ve been The Twang, this has been very fucking weird,” as an introduction to Either Way. Everyone is on their feet, stomping, hollering and clapping along (in time, thankfully). It’s a fun end to a very fun show.
Compared to the loud blast of a full-band performance, acoustic gigs lay everything bare. Yet The Twang’s party-fuelled music, journeying through cocaine, alcohol, wanderlust and morning-after regret, lends itself well to an acoustic setting, making for an enjoyable evening of indie crowd-pleasers.
Gem Hurley
Photos: Virginie Viche
For further information and future events, visit The Twang’s website here.
Watch the video for the single Either Way here:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS