Bright Light Bright Light

Bright Light Bright Light

Oct 07

A NON-SPOTTY SET

When: 27 September 2018
Where: Stereo
Support: Apache Darling; My Solo Piano

Bright Light Bright Light is Rod Thomas (ably supported by keyboard player whose name, sorry to say, I didn’t catch). He not only provides tonight’s main entertainment but he also acts as his won support band – My Solo Piano. The latter is just him and keyboard and the songs are in the 70s singer-songwriter mould – it is actually a really nice touch and the songs go down well with the early punters. It is followed by a good set from local lads and lasses, Apache Darling (who cope well with the gregarious man from the crowd who at one point plays tambourine for them and at another comes on stage to serenade the drummer with a sub-Marilyn Monroe ‘Happy Birthday’).

For the main set in his BLBL guise, Rod shifts into electropop territory with dollops of disco – again his inspirations seem to be the 70s and 80s. He sings well and his delivery always comes with dramatic, but truthful, body and hand language. He is a diva out of times. The set is littered with songs from his album Choreography, inspired by films such as Mannequin (which indeed inspires one of the best songs of the evening). Often the songs are introduced with a witty anecdote about their inspiration but Rod also delivers a more serious and heartfelt plea for the mental health charity he is supporting tonight.

Stereo is only about a third full but BLBL (who deserves more) is able to generate atmosphere and even some audience grooving. I also thought it was encouraging that the songs that I enjoyed most this evening were his newest, from his latest EP.

 

Band page

Sample video