Jonathan Richman played the last gig of his UK tour at the Union Chapel in London, Friday 2 March 2012.
Accompanied by drummer Tommy Larkins, Jonathan performed to pews of rapt fans at the sold-out Chapel.
The show began with No One Was Like Vermeer, then came O Moon, Queen Of Night On Earth with a dancing solo. Also on the setlist was These Bodies That Came to Cavort, My Affected Accent and the Modern Lovers’ Egyptian Reggae and Girlfriend.
Jonathan deadpanned and made the audience laugh. He played acoustic guitar with ornate flamenco touches.
A highlight was When We Refuse to Suffer and its rambling protest against the concrete world, “We get the discount rate / But we’ve stayed at the motel we hate”.
After an hour and a half the show ended with ‘Keith Richards’. A homage to, you’ve guessed it, Keith Richards.
Jonathan’s guileless music wound around and into the twists and curls of the venue’s architecture.
He sang his songs of joy, sorrow and suffering, and danced.
Words and pictures by Ciarán Ryan.
Links
JoJoblog – about Jonathan Richman
Youtube: Jonathan Richman live – Affection. Not in his current flamenco style
Have you seen Jonathan Richman on his UK tour? Add your thoughts to the comment box below.
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