May 17, 2000

Sheffield University Foundry

So much to give and so little idea of how to give it. A precious tragedy if ever there was one.

Presentation really isn't The Delgados' strong point. They start this gig standing about like guests at a stranger's funeral. Singer Emma Pollock looks even more like a Tiny Tears doll as she gibbers nervously at the crowd when embarrassing silence descends, guitarist/singer Alun Woodward, meanwhile, just scowls at the floor. He's also got Walkman headphones on. Oh dear.

They may have made the best album of the year so far with 'The Great Eastern', but it's done precious little to boost their confidence. Beauty takes many forms, though, and even their charisma bypass cannot disguise the fact that the songs that they play tonight are among the greatest in the history of recorded sound. Really.

Their cosmic Caledonian muse winks cautiously across the ages at The Vaselines, John Cale, Love and The Incredible String Band, but this strange, complicated, delicate music has a power beyond its heritage. Even with the strength of strings, it's often unspeakably bleak like on 'Knowing When To Run' or the redemptive sprawl of 'The Past That Suits You Best', but there's a deep belief in the simple power of melody that brightens even the darkest corners.

That nine musicians wedged on to the matchbox stage at the Foundry manage to maintain the pressure of doing this intense music justice speaks volumes of The Delgados' Dunkirk spirit and indeed, their wilful willingness to throw money away by taking such an unwieldy number of musicians on tour. Either that or they know deep down exactly what stunning musical form they're on at the moment and can't bear to see their finest moments - the iridescent 'Everything Goes Around The Water' or current single 'American Trilogy' - given anything but the red-carpet treatment.

"You have so much to give", breathes Pollock in her best ice-maiden whisper on the desolate 'Make Your Move'... So much to give and so little idea of how to give it. A precious tragedy if ever there was one.