Kurt Vile - Scala - 08/09/11
4/5
By: Mike Harounoff
It's an interesting thing to be a Kurt Vile fan. It has always been presumed that there is no such thing as a casual listener when it comes to Vile - it's obsession or bust. If you don't have an enyclopaedic knowledge of his music, then there's always this lingering feeling in the air that you're not quite getting it. It's with this in mind that the specifics tonight are of great importance. They are essentially two things. The first is that Vile is playing at London's 1,200 capacity Scala. The second is that the show is sold out. Surely there can't be 1,200 people in one city alone that have studied Vile instensely enough to warrant giving themselves a place in the crowd and surely if they're blaggers, they'd feel uncomfortable, be sniffed out instantly and removed? Why would they take such a risk? Then the realisation sets in that Kurt Vile isn't an unearthed gem, nor is he your little secret. You're not the only person in the world listening to him at any given moment any more. It's over. It's over.
Of course the reality of this situation is that Vile is finally getting the recognition he has always deserved, that he probably should have received when his debut full length 'Constant Hitmaker' was put into the world. It's with this in mind that the night really has that special feeling. As the more than impressive Woods leave the stage, there's a communal excitement about Vile's imminent appearance. It's nothing short of rapturous as he walks on to the stage, with a half determined lunge half shy shuffle, hair immediately falling over his face and hands ready to play some of the best written songs of the year. Each tune is met with the same awe, attempted sing alongs and impressive studying of Vile's guitar playing and lyrical prowess. It's a set leaning heavily on tracks from new - and arguably best - record 'Smoke Ring For My Halo' but it's an intelligent show with enough of the best cuts from the previous three albums for everyone to feel like a winner.
The best is saved til last, where an encore sees the band perform a cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'Downbound Train' which leaves most of the audience floored and the rest watching on like proud parents nodding and clasping there hands in pride at the position Vile now finds himself in. It's perhaps one of the most deserved ascensions the music industry has seen in a long time, and the best part about is that Vile is so earnest, charming, effortless and talented that his stature will only keep on growing.
Artists in this article: Kurt Vile
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