The intimacy of a small venue is really a unique experience. When you throw in a seasoned performer like lead singer of Brit-Pop band Travis, you get a true gem of a show. Healy truly made the experience an even more personal one with a slide show and storytelling to boot. The show allowed the audience a unique window into Healy’s thought process as a writer.
Travis guitarist Andy Dunlop joined Healy on stage for most songs. The show had an acoustic feel balanced out by Dunlop’s riffs and the occasional solo.
A notable story, Fran related a background for the Invisible Band single “Sing.†He described how he had it initially named “Swing†until bassist Dougie Payne informed him that he didn’t want the song to encourage seventies-style key parties. He then searched for the right word until he sang the word “Sing” mistakenly on one demo and had the epiphany.
Healy peppered the show with anecdotes about each song. He described the events that led to the song “Writing to Reach You†from the album The Man Who. Healy spoke of an extremely cold winter in Scotland and a gas heater (with wafting fumes trapped in his flat). He then explained the rather obvious connection (see lyrics) to Oasis’ pervasive anthem “Wonderwall†and a Connells tune that was rolling around in his head as well.
Healy was both comfortable and humorous throughout. It was so intimate that it seemed as though the famed songwriter was speaking directly to each member of the audience (and he did at times direct comments to individual audience members). His dry Scottish wit was fully intact.
The shows intimacy served the hooky numbers well; Healy even included personal photos of his young son. He seemed to revel in the opportunity to play for a small crowd of admirers. And the admirers enjoyed every minute.
Photos-Suzanne Davis
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.