The tickets said Fri 22 May 2020. And, nearly two weird years later, here we were. The trio Lau were back. They looked as pleased to see us as we were to see them.
This was Lau Unplugged, the show I reviewed from Kings Place in London, back in January 2020. With two significant differences. There was no bird based soundscape. And this was The Queens Hall, in Edinburgh, the band's home gig, their favourite venue, and the place where they are most loved. It was a special night.
In the first half the guys sat centre stage, introduced and played songs and tunes from all periods of their deep history. For The Cruel Brother they brought three backing singers from the audience - no less than Karine Polwart, Inge Thomson and Kirsty Law. But otherwise this was genuine Unplugged - accordion, fiddle and guitar, Drever's voice, with occasional vocal contributions for Green and O'Rourke. A reminder that, without the electronics, Lau is comprised of three virtuosos, and that the three together are capable of producing layers of incredible complexity.
The second half was... different. Theatrical, flowing, wondrous. No introductions, just segue after segue, movement that took in the whole stage, background soundscapes from the strangely beautiful audio cassette machine, and some ticktocking rythms from a couple of metronomes. Plus a hilariously physical sequence involving four improvised bits of electronica, each a sound box with large cardboard coffee cup gaffertaped on. The standing ovation this 45 minute sequence received was fully deserved.
The finale brought us the wonderful, ever relevant, Ghosts, and ahppy trio Lau walking off to tumultous applause and cheering. In a long list of outstanding Lau gigs I've been to, this one tops the lot.
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