Solo acoustic acts James Severy and Louis Romégoux open proceedings with gentle but intelligent sets,
Severy’s world-weary voice and Romégoux’s classical finger-picked guitar style ensure that each of them
stands head and shoulders above most singer songwriters on the circuit.
Playing to a packed Grapes, Monkey Swallows The Universe admit to being a little rusty in this their first of
several gigs around the country in support of their new album The Bright Carvings. After a couple of looseners
and plenty of banter whilst singer Nat finds her guitar capo, the band soon find their groove and treat the hushed
audience to an amazing set of acoustic pop. The first of several highlights comes when two of the band slope off
stage to allow Nat and Kevin to play the gorgeous Sheffield Shanty where Nat's brilliant voice shines for the
first time tonight. Kevin's slide guitar and glockenspiel accompaniment sends shivers down the spine despite a
few missed notes (and his tongue-in-cheek claim that the song was played 'absolutely note perfect') and the song is
rapturously received.
The barrage of amazing songs continues for the next 45 minutes as the acoustic guitar/cello/violin/drums mix proves
to be a winner time after time. The band themselves play with an endearing mix of modesty and humour and are visibly
thrilled with the huge round of applause that follows each song. Further highlights include new download single
Jimmy Down The Well and the haunting final song Beautiful Never which leaves the audience breathless and
wanting even more than the two encores MSTU have already played.
MSTU deserve to be huge and it would be a travesty if this album wasn't picked up on by people outside Sheffield.
My bet is that it will be high on many Best Of 2006 lists at the end of the year – local or otherwise.