The Webb Sisters UK Tour 2011

[John Etherington]

Hi All,

I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread for the Webb Sisters tour, to keep the posts in one place. I look forward to hearing about last nights gig in Brighton, in particular. I'd like to have gone to this, but am having to pace things at the moment. I need another fix though, so I booked for Hastings, today.

Anyway, to get this thread rolling, here's a marginally re-vamped version of my Bloomsbury post:

Re: The Webb Sisters @ London UCL Bloomsbury: 15/5/2011
by John Etherington » Mon May 16, 2011 3:09 am

What an absolutely fantastic evening! I made it to the Bloomsbury shortly before the concert, and it was great to meet a whole bunch of forum people including Laura who was sitting in the row behind,Marie and Al who were sitting next to me on the left, and also Wendy. I enjoyed support, Simon Lynge's set. He's quite Paul Simonesque, and included "Dock of the Bay" and "The Future" (a good song of his own, not Leonard's). Karren's two unused seats were taken by Sue Merlyn (who had previously been at the back) and the AEG Live cameraman sat was directly next to me. After much clicking of camera in my right ear, I told him politely that it was a tad annoying, and he kindly conceded!

I had a great view from A7, but initially I was apprehensive about whether it would work so well, after the intimacy of Green Note. I didn't take notes or manage to secure a set list this time, but as I recall, our heriones kicked off with "Baroque Thoughts", "Calling This a Life" and "In Your Father's Eyes". Soon after they were joined by the male members of the band - bass, pedal steel and brother Brad on drums, with a striking shorter haircut and beardless, I think. (sorry, but when the sisters are onstage - I notice little else).

At first, I thought the drumming was a bit strong, but then suddenly everything gelled and the music really took off. Two young ladies joined the band on strings occasionally, including, of course, for "Words That Mobilise". The evening contained some surprises, includingTracey Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You Tonight" and Elvis's "You Were Always on My Mind" (one of my favourite songs of his). We also got "Dead Old Leaves" and a rousing "I Still Here It". There was a great country number, the title of which escapes me. (these girls could have a second career as a country rock band!). "Savages" and "Burn" were exceptionally strong, and I enjoyed "Amelies Smile" (I have come to love these three tracks over the past week). "If It Be Your Will" was more sublime than ever, and the concert closed with "Yours Truly", "The Goodnight Song" and "1000 Stars". Finally, there was the magical moment when the sisters stepped off the stage and played their acoustic rendition of "Heart Like a Wheel"...first to my left, then almost in front of me.

In conclusion, the show was a resounding triumph. It was great to chat with more good people afterwards...the man who worked for David Bowie (circa '66), Karen and Alan, my good friend Andy, Henry, and Ross (from Hattie Webb House). Naturally, it was lovely to chat with Hattie and Charley briefly during their CD signing, and also to meet their wonderful parents again. That's about it...bought the t-shirt...you don't need a Webb-er-man to know which way the wind blows!

All good things, John E

[John Etherington]

A few specific questions about Brighton - was it standing or seated? Did they play any different songs to London? When did the concert end? What was the support like?

[birminghamfan]

Is anyone from the Files going to see the Webb Sisters in Birmingham on Monday 23rd May? If so would love to meet for a drink beforehand - could meet in The Fox only a few doors away Im sure the Webb Sisters will bring back those heady days on the West Coast late last year..


Manchester 2008 | London O2 July 2008 | RAH Nov 2008 | Birmingham 2008 |New York RCMH 2009 |Weybridge 2009 |Liverpool 2009 |Oakland 2010 | Las Vegas 2010 x2

[joyezekiel]

Is anyone from the Files going to see the Webb Sisters in Birmingham on Monday 23rd May? If so would love to meet for a drink beforehand - could meet in The Fox only a few doors away Im sure the Webb Sisters will bring back those heady days on the West Coast late last year..


Manchester 2008 | London O2 July 2008 | RAH Nov 2008 | Birmingham 2008 |New York RCMH 2009 |Weybridge 2009 |Liverpool 2009 |Oakland 2010 | Las Vegas 2010 x2

It's not often I get homesick, but I would really like to be back in England for this........ especially as it's in my home town........

Hope you manage to cobble together some sort of meetup. Mark and I will be thinking of you on Monday!

Joy

[birminghamfan]

Not much sign of other Forum members yet! Just back from weekend away A friend of mine is in Edinburgh and has seen the
Webb Sisters this evening - said they were wonderful! Might ask him to post a review as there are no other mentions of Edinburgh
I may be alone in the Old Fox - but Im still looking forward to tomorrow ! Hope all is good in Magnolia
Steve









Manchester 2008 |London o2 July 2008 |London RAH 2008 | Birmingham 2008 | New York RCMH 2009 | Weybridge 2009 | Liverpool 2009 | Oakland 2010 | Portland 2010 | Las Vegas 2010 x 2 |

[mydoglorca]

Hope everyone enjoys the Webbs in Birmingham tonight. We saw them last week in Bristol & they were excellent. Chatted to them for a few minutes after while they signed our CD. They played for about 1 hour 20 minutes. You will not be disappointed.

[birminghamfan]

The Webb Sisters were superb in Birmingham! My friend Stuart saw them in Edinburgh the previous evening and had a different support act but our support was pretty decent
Tiny venue- the Studio at the Glee Club -I was sitting about ten feet from TWS Bought a disc ( and the support] and queued up for a signature - the Sisters were delightful! A great evening , and brilliant value - warmly recommended

Steve











Manchester 2008 |London o2 July 2008 |London RAH 2008 | Birmingham 2008 | New York RCMH 2009 | Weybridge 2009 | Liverpool 2009 | Oakland 2010 | Portland 2010 | Las Vegas 2010 x 2 |

[bridger15]

Edinburgh gig review.
http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/ ... 6773176.jp

THE WEBB SISTERS / SIMON LYNGE

QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH ****
Published Date: 25 May 2011
By Sue Wilson

HAVING scored the dream ticket of featuring in Leonard Cohen's band on his recent world tour, Kent-born siblings Charley and Hattie Webb have leapfrogged the option of playing smaller venues for this debut Scottish headline appearance. The impression they made was attested to by the proportion of the audience who'd come along on the strength of those shows, but the rapturous reception here was entirely their own work.

The Webbs' central strength is the minutely nuanced care they take with their voices' shifting alignment, variously trading lines, echoing and overlapping one another as well as simply singing together. Even within their most hushed, fragile numbers, skilfully modulated dynamics imbued their sound with depth and vitality.

Alongside their own songs – a beguiling blend of folk, pop and country flavours, from delicate balladry to punchier upbeat fare – there was a sprinkling of covers, including Tracy Chapman's Baby Can I Hold You, subtly refashioned, and a prayerful version of Cohen's If It Be Your Will.

The duo's expert self-accompaniment on harp, mandolin and guitar lent further distinctive colours and rhythmic sinew, periodically complemented by violin, cello and percussion.

Support act Simon Lynge, all the way from Greenland, also won his share of loud applause.

[clive cass]

The Webb sisters were superb in Sheffield last Tuesday May 24th and the full (perhaps 200) but smallish venue (a recently refurbished pub with a purpose built area for gigs) and the audience gave the sisters great applause. Of course their rendition of if It Be Your Will was brilliant but every song was enjoyable and the girls were relaxed and engaged the audience really well. They certainly were not just baking singers bereft of a front man and band. Brad the third member of this talented family was back that day from Brazil to provide percussion and backing vocals and I feel the show was hugely enhanced by this as the sound seemed rich and full. This was not a tribute act of course and we talk about the Webb sisters on this forum as they are the nearest thing yet miles away from any connection with Leonard Cohen. Having said that anyone who likes Leonard Cohen should enjoy the Webb Sisters so I suggest you go and see them and enjoy the show. There are lots of great singer songwriters out there and I hope people using this forum will recommend artists they know so we can all get to know them. To kick off does anyone like Damian Jurado ?

[almarks]

I was at the Webb sisters Edinburgh concert at the Queens Hall last Sunday, the Scotsman review (see earlier post) describes it well. Simon Lynge, the support act went down well with the audience, good songs and tales of his early life in Greenland, Bought his cd, The Future on Amazon after the show, have enjoyed listening to it all week.
A great performance by Charley and Hattie, accompanied in part by violin and double bass, can't remember the names of these two ladies though. For the encore, Charley and Hattie came into the table area of the audience and performed two or was it three
more songs. After the show Simon Lynge and the girls were happy to chat and have photos taken. A memorable night, with several mentions of Leonard, the Edinburgh castle concert and wet Weybridge, also the girls mentioned the new LC album, look forward to that, hopefully later this year.