Shed Seven made a triumphant return to Southampton’s Vinilo Record Store this afternoon (30/9/24) for a brief but brilliant set ahead of signing their new album, which is on course to take the number one spot this Friday.
The band were in town to promote Liquid Gold, and played a brief four song giglet (like a gig but smaller), complete with banter, singalongs, and some solid, stadium-worthy belters before the crowd of grown up indie kids – and a few of their offspring – formed an orderly queue to enjoy a 1-1 encounter with the band and the chance to get their own album signed.
The venue was packed out – tickets for the matinee event had sold out almost immediately – and the crowd was buzzing as the band took to the stage.
Rick Witter joked that they had been going to play Liquid Gold but there wasn’t quite the space for the full orchestra so we just had the three of them instead, before launching into an energetic performance of Getting Better.
Fans were singing along from the outset. There was a lot of love in the room, going in both directions, to and from the stage.
Witter went on to describe Liquid Gold as “a love letter from us to you for all the support.”
Next up was seminal anthem Going For Gold. During the performance Witter noticed a young fan with a handmade sign and held it up to the audience before later inviting its creator up on stage for a quick chat. Later, observing the children in the crowd he joked that all the school children in Southampton must have the afternoon off school today – or was it just them.
One audience member couldn’t contain his love for Going for Gold and applauded about a minute before the end – spotted by Witter who told him to hang on a while, coming back back to him at the end of the track to joke that he could clap now.
Witter was on great form, and seemed to love performing and chatting with the crowd – he appeared to be delighted when he spotted a baby wearing ear defenders at the back of the room, and proceeded to have a one sided chat with her.
Next up was lesser known track Talk of the Town, which he said the band recorded when they were about 13 years older than Molly – the babe in arms.
The finale was arguably the best indie song of all time – Chasing Rainbows, still heart-wrenchingly beautiful after so many listens.
Witter’s voice was simply stunning, as perfect now as it was in the 90s. The only thing that could have made the afternoon’s performance better was it being longer. But it was small, perfect and worth its weight in gold.
To listen to Liquid Gold or purchase it click here.
To buy the albumin vinyl from Vinilo, click here.
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