Live Gig Review: Eric Lau and Friends at The Old Queen's Head, 16.05.13

My favourite gigs tend to be those of bands who opt to play in
smaller, more intimate venues.

Though when such venues are full to the brim with a larger
number of attendees than expected, that's something different altogether.

















Luckily the packed out first floor of the Old Queens Head in
Islington, didn't discourage Eric Lau and Friends from giving off
an amazing set this Thursday, made up of a live preview of Lau's
forthcoming album, "One Of Many".


















If anything, it probably gave them that extra buzz.

And what a line-up it was, three top vocalists them  being (from right) Blam Jam favourite Tawiah, Rahel, and Vula,



Alex Bonfanti giving it some bass,


Some stunning percussion from the PSM,


And not forgetting Kaidi Tatham on flute and keyboards, who was
far too modest to big up his own LP just released, the rather
superb "Shokazulu".

Highlights included Tawiah doing an amazing performance on my
personal favourite "Where To Go Now", of which you can hear
the single version on Sunday's Blam Jam,


and an amazing adlib from Vula who was celebrating her birthday
as shared with Janet Jackson.

They even gave her a cake and champagne!

The crowds (and a massive one at that) were very appreciative
and I'm pretty certain that Lau will have no problems at all turning
out copies and downloads of his new album when finally released.

As I'm not normally very good at coping in tightly crowded places
I managed really well, and just lost myself in the amazing
musicianship from everyone performing on stage.

Taking into account it was Lau's first performance with a live band
for five years, here's hoping the next one won't be too long a wait,
and maybe in a bigger venue?