Tindersticks at Royal Festival Hall 3rd May 2008

I saw Tindersticks play live six times from 2003 to 04. They played little from their recently released 'Waiting For The Moon' LP, focusing on their first and second albums and playing a string of audience-pleasing old favourites. The gigs themselves were tremendous, but the band seemed tired and unsure of where to take their music next.

Five years later, following two Stuart Staples solo albums and a drastic line-up change that sees only Staples, guitarist Neil Fraser and keyboard player David Boulter remain from the six founding member, Tindersticks are back with a stunning new album and short European tour which reached London last night.

The Tindersticks that were on stage last night compromised 13 members with everyone who played on 'The Hungry Saw' playing a part, meaning that the departure of Dickon Hinchcliffe did not mean a lack of strings or fullness of sound.

Opening with 'Introduction', the band took the stage one by one with Staples last to appear, just before they launched into the driven, brassy sound of 'Yesterday's Tomorrows'. They preceded to play the first seven songs from 'The Hungry Saw', showing a support and enthusiasm for the new material that was a vast improvement from the days of 'Waiting For The Moon'. The highlights of this early mini-set were the old style big ballad 'The Other Side Of The World' and the Dexys-esque instrumental 'E-Type'. But for this Tindersticks fan, it was a joy to see the band looking so happy and clearing enjoying playing these songs so much. There was a tremendous amount of activity on stage and Terry Edwards on trumpet and Lucy Wilkins on violin, long-time collaborators both, played an important part.

Following this, the audience were treated to a selection of older songs, including the strangely euphoric 'Dying Slowly' and the menacing 'Sleepy Song', before the band returned to 'The Hungry Saw', again playing the last half on the album in sequence. This was a simply stunning collection of songs, played brilliantly. 'Mother Dear' featured perfect, warm vocals from Staples and edgy guitar from Fraser, the call and response of 'Boobar' was perfect in this setting and album closer 'The Turns We Took, an old-school Tindersticks epic with lyrics that seem to reflect on the band's journey was a show stopper although they actually ended the main set with 'What Are You Fighting For?', which is available only as a limited edition tour 7" single.

Returning for encores, 'My Sister' in turns hilarious and beautiful was given an airing, along with live favourites 'Her' and 'She's Gone', after which Staples made everyone in the hall even happier than they already were, with the words "we'll see you soon".

This was a stunning gig. Tindersticks have re-invented themselves and returned with an energy and vitality that suggests they can go on to reach even greater heights than they already have. Staples looked as happy as I have ever seen him at a gig and sounded in tremendous voice.

Five years after a sequence of gigs where most of the material came from two albums that were a decade old, Tindersticks no longer feel they have to evoke memories of past triumphs. They have created an innovative and fresh new album and a live show to go with it. Exciting times for band and fans.

9.8

Tindersticks play Paris tomorrow and festivals in the Summer. They are expected to schedule a UK tour with a stripped down line-up in the Autumn.