The South (ex Beautiful South) Live Wakefield 9/5/2014

Its said that the former members of the Beautiful South just didnt want to give it up... On the evidence of tonight, a) I dont blame them and b) hope they keep loving it.

Whilst its true that in the latter albums, The Beautiful South had it seemed grown musically weary, joyless even at times, in the South they have rediscovered that joy, that the love for the songs is just as strong.

Any accusations that they were merely milking the revival cash cow must surely be so far wide of the mark, at most they seem to be rivalling the Polyphonic Spree, as 9 members, including a nifty brass section are on the stage. 

A near full Warehouse 23 greets the band like old friends and from then on the set and crowd never drop. Even when songs from the bands new album pepper the set, they still have that unmistakable Beautiful South sound and hook, you wouldn't know that there was over 20 years between those and the older songs.

Of course not all the songs were originally sung by either Alison (or predecessors) or Dave but again, where changes are to be made its without any noticeable difererence. A case in point is Old Red Eyes... originally sung by Paul but now by Alison, and superbly so. In fact, I would venture to say, its better than the original.

Otherwise the hits are all present and correct, A Little Time couldnt have been sung louder, more emphatically, more passionately than if it were the English world cup song and we had just that minute lifted the Jules Rimet trophy..

Watch Song For Whoever Live at Wakefield

Woman In The Wall has always been one of my favourites, I remember it so fondly from one of the original bands very first shows, seemingly the whole band donning fancy dress n for an extended joyous run through. Tonight its in the set again, and one of Daves' favourites. Its no less darkly joyous.

Good as Gold has an unmistakeable feelgood tone it, who doesn't want their sundrenched windswept Ingrid Bergman kiss.... and the Carry on Regardless refrain is belted back at them as a final finale.

Watch Good As Gold Live At Wakefield

Anyone who ever had any love for the Beautiful South will see that love rekindled many times over with The South. As gigs go they dont get much better...

Watch the new single, Pigeonhole below.