Windmill, The Whybirds, Loose Baby Charlotte, Dylan Lee Jones.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2. 9th June 2007.

A couple of weeks ago after a hard days toil (!) it was time for the early evening ritual of a nice cup of tea and a slice of Steve Lamacq on 6 Music. On this occasion he was joined in the studio by WINDMILL, aka Matt Dillon, who came across extremely well, telling of his time as a small kid growing up in a small town (Newport Pagnell), his early band with his brother, his collection of some 2000 DIY songs on cassette tucked away in his attic, and his profound love of American lo-fi. It was the perfect introduction to the man and his music. What, I pondered, was he going to be like live in concert?
I am absolutely certain I will upset the majority of the hundred or so people here this evening when I declare that I found Windmill's performance one of the most tedious and stultifying sets that I have ever witnessed on the Level 2 stage.
He makes his entrance to his keyboards holding, and taking cover under, an umbrella! Although he informs us that "we have a reduced Windmill tonight", he is still joined by a drummer and a young lady on guitar and sharing vocals. Early in his set he proudly declares that one of his songs has reached "Number three in Denmark"! My opinion of the Danish music scene plummeted on hearing that revelation!
The music (?) just continued to ramble and meander on. Songs such as 'Fluorescent Lights', 'The Planning Stopped' and 'Replacement' just built up the question in my mind: Windmill - super lyrics or superficial drivel?, genius or pretentious? I am afraid that for this reviewer it was way, way too avant-garde!

Sharing the bill was firstly DYLAN LEE JONES. The chirpy troubadour with the harsh gravelly voice singing songs about the underbelly of modern day life.

Following were LOOSE BABY CHARLOTTE, who tonight were welcoming a new drummer on board. It's all very confident and stylishly presented, something like The Feeling and Embrace, and apart from an ill-judged cover of a Ramones classic (tut, tut), it's all very enjoyable.

The highlight of the evening for me comes with the appearance of THE WHYBIRDS. They produced an electrifying set of alternative country-rock sounds. The spirit of America's mid-west is coming through loud and clear thanks to this quartet. They play as a tight unit, especially with the bluesy sound of 'Hard to Find', and a storming finale of 'Rosalita', which are both performed so expressively. An album is at present being worked upon. In fact, the band informed me that they hope to complete it this weekend. If it's as good as the live set then it should be an essential purchase.