Robert Vincent is the voice, pen and soul of this thing we call UK Americana. 2024 is his purple patch year. The new album has proved worth the wait to lead while others follow. Shows are beginning to multiply and two festival appearances dealt a couple of hours of exhibitive guile. Adaptability is the key at this semi-grassroots level, full band, solo and various duo formats match the venue and the moment. Each performance adds to the memory bank, one requiring extra capacity as we are now over a decade into following the career of this singer-songwriter.
Hiccups are part of the journey and finding a niche on the Birmingham gig scene has proved elusive. A reduced songwriter's round with Dean Owens at the back end of 2017 didn't kickstart the listening rooms and few shows emerge from The Sunflower Lounge as life affirming. Although that night in 2019 unveiled a liaison with Matt Owens that has gone from strength to strength. A Moseley night was mentioned, but that passed me by and hasn't been repeated. Curiously a Stourbridge date was announced earlier this year. Having lived in the town for 28 years, the venue wasn't convincing and another gig won a head-to-head clash. The latest venture accrued a booking at another city centre location, with the Actress and Bishop in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter providing a setting for this section of the Barriers Tour.
Over the last few years a handful of potential gigs have cropped up at the Actress and Bishop, but this was a first visit. It will likely be the last as the venue was totally unsuitable to what makes my gig journey purr. An awkward configuration leaves the stage as a non-focal point. The outer rim of the room acts as a magnet when the crowd numbers around fifty (ideal in the listening venues) leaving the artist playing into a void. The sound engineers have a perpetual battle and other niggles played their part. The venue is pleasant enough and ideal for a packed Friday night experience where idle chatter fills the air and an inconsequential band plays in the background. Singer-songwriters should steer clear of this place.
The fear of any vocal performer is voice impairment. The conundrum is when to resume in the middle of a tour. Robert Vincent marginally landed on the positive side of resumption. Nights have been spent in the company of artists who should be nowhere near a stage. The crowd were largely at one and a communal feel pulled things through. The songs were still there if the majestic vocals needed an extra dose of R and R. We were promised a different show next time. Please don't make this the Actress and Bishop.
The last Robert Vincent duo show seen was an absolute gorgeous set at The Long Road Festival with Anna Corcoran on keyboards. This evening Danny Williams, a regular band member, on upright bass was the partner. Whatever the stature of the musician, the effect of bass and keys on the audience is incomparable. My view on bass is it makes the artist tick. The chemistry between the pair was on the mark.
For a reasonable city centre outlay, we had two hours of music. The opening act Leah Wilcox played for half an hour before Vincent and Williams took to the stage just before nine to play a well-stacked hour and half set. There was a notable switch in set material from the other two recent Robert Vincent live performances seen. Both The Long Road and the more recent full band effort at The 7 Hills Festival featured a trio of songs that have cracked the writing code in 2024. Strangely, 'The Insider', 'Burden' and 'Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow' were all missing, alongside the staple 'So in Love', admittedly the latter is better with a full band. Whatever the reason, and artistic setlist control remains an imperative, not giving these three gems oxygen at this moment in time is like finding three jigsaw pieces missing.
Ultimately, gig reflections should focus on what sounds filled the air. The picks of a growing catalogue for Birmingham 20024 were 'Keeper of the Heart', 'The Beast Inside', 'The Kids Don't Do God Anymore' and 'All for You'. Maybe the new songs aren't omnipresent yet, a statement you can't attach to 'I'll Make the Most of My Sins' and 'Demons'. They would only be missing when the ravens escape!
Robert Vincent makes and plays music that dreams are made of. However, there is a need to find venues where those dreams can be fulfilled. The stars don't always align, but you should never cease the search to find the perfect gig. One day the full band will play a scintillating show on a platform worthy of the eminent talent. At the other of the scale, Robert Vincent, the stripped back singer-songwriter, will find the ideal space in Birmingham. Over to the movers and shakers to make the Kitchen Garden or Thimblemill Library work. You won't need to issue a 'fuck off' at the end of the first song.