The Lightning Seeds at Somerset House

In the words of Baddiel and Skinner, it could have been all songs in the street; it was nearly complete; it was nearly so sweet.

Whether it was a deliberate or a serendipitous booking, the comedians’ collaborators on England football anthem Three Lions, The Lightning Seeds playing Somerset House in London on the same day as the World Cup final could’ve been a spectacular event.

Sadly, England’s footballers did not hold up their end of the bargain, but Ian Broudie and his band still delivered a joyous sunkissed late afternoon at one of the capital’s most picturesque venues.

Broudie opens with the dreamy Life’s Too Short, though it is with the better-known Change that one is truly transported back to the optimism of the mid-90s and the Britpop era.

Though Broudie was always a quieter, more reserved presence than some of his peers, despite his involvement with English football’s biggest hit, he and his band have a back catalogue to rival some of the best of the era.

The Lightning Seeds’ gift has always been their optimism, with even songs with hints of heartbreak in their lyrics sounding resilient in their jangly positivity, like Sugar Coated Iceberg and Marvellous.

Despite it being nearly 40 years since The Lightning Seeds’ first hit, Pure, Broudie’s tender vocal proves remarkably intact, hitting all the right notes.

The nostalgic mornfulness of Perfect provides a mid-gig counterpoint to the balmy jollity, as does the band’s version of The Byrds’ You Showed Me. Quickly though, it’s into Lucky You, and the crowd is bouncing rather than swaying again.

After that moment, the crowd gets the song most were probably hoping to hear in different circumstances, as Broudie plays Three Lions despite the now “60 years of hurt” for England fans continuing for a couple more years at least.

It’s followed by Pure, which is still a classic 37 years since it announced The Lightning Seeds to the world. Broudie and co close with another song with a football connection – Life of Riley – instantly recognisable to Match of the Day viewers as its Goal of the Month music. It’s also poignant as Broudie’s son Riley, who the song was written for when a baby, is now in the Lightning Seeds with his dad on guitar.

The early evening finish is also perfect for the Lightning Seeds’ ebullient tunes, as one can’t help but leave the beautiful venue feeling warm and fuzzy as the sun begins to dip. It’s almost enough to make one forget the football result.

Mark Worgan
Photos: Miguel de Melo

For further information and future events, visit The Lightning Seeds’s website here.

Watch the video for The Life of Riley here: