Review of Robyn's Second Evening Live at Claypath Deli, Durham, Co. Durham, England
I went to see Robyn again last night at the same venue he played on Friday, before I leave my native North East and head home to Kent. There was no support this time, an act called 'Billy Liar' was billed, but didn't appear. Robyn played two solo acoustic sets. The second set in particular featured a lot of songs which Robyn doesn't often play live, which was a treat. Some of audience sang along with Robyn during the last few numbers which was lovely. Before the first set started, I began chatting with a bloke who was sitting next to me on a bench. He was from Whitley Bay, and he told me that he first saw Robyn in 1978, to which I hesitantly mentioned that I was one year old then.

I think I recognised a couple of faces who had attended both evenings. Robyn remarked that he wanted to thank people if they had attended both tonight's adding that 'this includes myself'. Several times during the set Robyn mentioned that some of the songs were requests. Towards the end of the second set he asked if anyone has any requests. 'Linctus House' was called out to which Robyn replied 'weren't you here last night?' A man in the audience requested Robyn to play 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Robyn asked why he had said that, to which the man replied 'because I really want you to play it.'

Set One:
Not Dark Yet (Bob Dylan Cover)
Queen Of Eyes
The Sir Tommy Shovel
Bass
There Goes Tomorrow (a new song)
The Cheese Alarm
I Saw Nick Drake
I Often Dream of Trains
(New Song) Resonator
Acid Bird
Set Two:
The Lizard
I Am This Thing
Recalling the Truth
Wax Doll
Mad Shelley's Letterbox
Gene Hackman
Listening to The Higsons
Ole Tarantula
Soul Love (David Bowie Cover)

Some of Robyn's on stage banter:
The stage at the venue is directly in front of the deli's shop window. Robyn told us that 'years ago Jonathan Demme filmed me playing in front of a shop window in New York. He was Interested in the reactions of passers by seeing me play, but it was New York so nobody cared'

'I'm thrilled to see some vintage t-shirts here tonight which are of me. If you want to find your way around Durham then ask a Robyn Hitchcock fan, of which there are three.'

'When A.I. takes over, all of us will be edited down to six minute versions of ourselves.'

'This next song is in F sharp like classic songs such as 'Golden Years' and 'Staying Alive'. But, then there's this...'

'Mark Linkous the late singer of the band 'Sparklehorse' recorded a cover of 'Listening to The Higsons'. I believe a video of it may be released at some point'.

Matt E