An intriguing evening with a ghostly figure haunting the dark Stanley Theatre at Liverpool University. Walking on stage was a young John Lennon wearing a quirky sort of tie, suit jacket and round spectacles. Unshaven and looking comfortable with the intimate surroundings. Many had to blink as John Lennon appeared on stage, however as that quick moment passed it came clear that is was John’ and Yoko's son Sean Lennon. Appearing in the famous city where dad was king.
Some of the crowd may have just been there to witness the prodigal son but most would have been impressed with the sounds that harmonised out of the young pioneer. Its hard not to make distinctions to the father but Sean had a similar charming humour with his humbled arrogance and little jokes with the crowd. Now on to the young lennon's music......
Sean mentioned a few times about his new album ‘Friendly Fire’ awash with songs about breaking up with someone. It was quite evident Sean had a lot of passion in his songs.
‘Wait for Me’ was a melancholic number with rumbling acoustics, but a nice little opener no matter how out of tune it seemed. Having brushed off the first song Sean admitted:
‘I’m a bit nervous about playing in Liverpool because I don’t know if you know, but my dad was born here.”.
But once the night got under way Sean’s wit between songs became very amiable.
A very impressive ‘On Again Off Again’ bound away with lovely little bumps that could become a cosy favourite. ‘Falling Out Of Love’ was clearly straight from Sean’s misery over a woman, however crafted piano’s layered into the night with intimacy all around. A fine masterpiece that had great support from the tight backing band.
Not only was the young Lennon impressive on acoustic with the solid favourite ‘Dead Met’ that had lots of punch and strong back bone, but he loved it when the chance to tamper with the electric came along. On show with a twisted cover of T-Rex’s ‘Would I Be The One’.
A classic set full of master class emotion with a double encore featuring epics like ‘Tomorrow’ and one of Sean’s early one’s ‘Spaceship’
Some may have gone to the gig for the connection with John, but those people would have left with great glee to know that Sean is doing his father proud. Emotionally deep and creatively crafty!
Good job son!
Photgraph courtesy of: STONE IMAGES
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