Star rating – 9/10
If,
like me, you remember fondly when the gigs you went to were small and sweaty,
then rest assured that there is no need to simply reminisce. Manchester’s Castle Hotel offers those longed
for intimate exclusive experiences on a regular basis – great gigs just as they
should be. And last night’s offering from American country troubadour Joe Pug
was something a little bit special.
His
lyrics pack a real punch, and his very affable and charming demeanour belie an
intensity and anger reminiscent of a young Bob Dylan. His guitar and his mouth
organ are his weapons, like a raging Woody Guthrie or Bruce Springsteen.
Defiantly on the side of the little people, he quit drama school and went to earning
his living as a carpenter before his musical career took off. He has famously
given away his music for free to fans in return for them spreading the word
around about his music. And he is still an artist who likes to treat his
audiences with respect.
Pug is
one of those songwriters who leaves a piece of himself on every song – honestly
sharing his political and romantic passions alike. He treated the small but
very appreciative crowd to gems like Speak
Plainly Diana, and the desperate heartbreak tune Call It What You Will, both from the acclaimed Nation of Heat EP. He raged fabulously about ‘a congress of jackals will put a tax on my
smile’ in Nobody’s Man. My personal stand
out favourite of the night was How Good
You Are from the online album Messenger.
It’s a great example of how a good track can sound truly great live.
He
finished off with a last rousing number Hymn#101, testing the timbers of his heart, he
is brave, insistent, confrontational, searching for answers, and putting
himself out there with all his soul. By his own admission Joe Pug says exactly
what he means and is stubborn as a butcher. Watch out world is all I can say. He
sings of redemption and love, of missed chances and weary lives. A remarkable,
warm and talented performer, do yourself a favour and don’t miss him when he
next graces these shores with his outstanding talent. And thanks to Hey
Manchester! for putting on another tremendous gig. May sweaty nights reign...
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