Malcolm full of Glee

Malcolm Middleton live @ The Glee Club, Birmingham 01/07/09

"Malcolm Middleton full of Glee?" I hear you say. Well, sort of. Malcolm has been unkindly dubbed "the ginger winger" in recent years, which is unfair to say the least. On Wednesday I saw Malcolm Middleton at his best. His albums have always captured my imagination and his lyrics are always superb. His new album, 'Waxing Gibbous', has received critical acclaim from the likes of Q magazine and I feel like I have heard the lead single, 'Red Travellin' Socks', all over the show - although, truth be told, I've probably only heard it from my own stereo.

Wednesday night Malcolm Middleton played the wonderful, intimate rooms of The Glee Club in Birmingham. This is said to be one of Middleton's favourite venues to play because of it's brilliant sound, intimate feel and, of course, the fact that it is perfect for acoustic shows. This show wasn't to be the latter at all. Malcolm opened the show solo with his guitar and the rest of the night was full band a-rockin'. Songs like the aforementioned sock-related song sounded crisp and full of joy as the band ripped them up into little shreds, loud and proud. Malcolm was in fine voice, with his dry sense of humour lacing every song and every little intermission we got.

The set was 'Wxing Gibbous' heavy, for obvious reasons, with songs like 'Zero' coming out to play. This song is the proud owner of the first RAP on a MM song. It worked well live, too - with support act The Pictish Trail' coming up to do vocals and the rap. It was like watching a band made up of family - with in-jokes, coy smiles and little asides within the band. Songs like 'Kiss At The Station' really impressed the crowd, Middleton doing his best to impress (probably not, actually, but it sure as hell impressed me with his delivery of the song).

The moment of the night, for me, was the performance of the lovely, haunting 'The Ballad Of Fuck All', which induced goosebumps all over. Considering how hot it was, that's quite an achievement. Malcolm performed this with honest, pained delivery and the band did him proud with their rendition. The entire Glee Club fell silent to watch this one. I don't even think anyone was singing along, it was just beautiful.

There were few golden oldies thrown in for good measure, but it was the current album material that really shone through during this set and Malcolm appeared to be enjoying himself in the Birmingham heat (of which there was plenty, it has to be said). I am sad that I had to leave before the last song, but his set was one of the best I've seen this year. Perfect for hot summer days and the miserablist in you.

'Waxing Gibbous' is out now. Malcolm continues to tour the UK through this month.