Online review by Schizomusica
On November 22, 2025, the amazing Robyn Hitchcock performed with full band at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom, with his partner Emma Swift opening—one of the most perfect live shows ever and quite the early Xmas gift. He also played there the following night, but perhaps an account of that show can be found elsewhere. For now, here’s how it all went down. Cue the fake snowflakes and jingly-bell music please…

‘Twas the night, well five nights, before Thanksgiving, when all through the hall
Emma Swift was performing, her bandmates and all.
We sat with a drink, by the bar down the stairs,
Then climbed up the back stairway, a bit unawares
We’d emerge at a spot right next to the stage,
And stay there all night til the last note was played.

A security guard paced nervously near;
As Emma sang sweetly, I sipped at my beer;
Then when she had finished amid the crowd’s clatter,
He sprang into sight with his usual chatter.
The great Mr. Hitchcock stood under the light,
With guitar and cool shirt and his hairdo of white.

A “Raymond Chandler Evening” it was,
Then the band kicked into “Kingdom of Love.”
The ”Acid Bird” and “Balloon Man” flew by,
While “The Shuffle Man” shuffled his way past my eye.
The gorgeous “Madonna of the Wasps” was there,
Followed shortly by “Socrates in Thin Air.”

More sparkly than sequins his best songs they came,
And I’ll try to recall them and call them by name:
“Alright Yeah” from the great Moss Elixir,
“So You Think You’re in Love” with Emma, then picture…
A song most revered by Robyn, inside
Of “Flesh Number One,” Roxy Music did hide.

Exquisiteness overload was “More Than This,”
With Emma Swift’s harmonies nothing but bliss.
And then “Q-O-E,” he cryptically sighs,
Which all his fans knew—the Soft Boys’ “Queen of Eyes.”
Now back to Perspex Island we sail,
With “Oceanside”’s wonderful, walloping wail.

Off his self-titled album from eight years on,
His ”Autumn Sunglasses” did Robyn then don.
A couple more Soft Boys tunes stirred up the crowd,
With “I Wanna Destroy You” now timely and loud.
The apex from Element of Light would be last:
“Airscape” was followed by blasts from the past.

Three encores, that is, and while Robyn was rapping,
The band stayed onstage as to minimize clapping!
“See Emily Play” was drawn first from the hat,
Then “Dear Prudence” was up—but wait, where’s Emma at?!
Well, soon she was found and she Swift-ly flew back,
The Beatles song sung, now the third one on deck.
“See what you make of this,” Robyn told us,
Then “All Along the Watchtower” it was.
A challenging cover, a nice tour-de-force,
Though not quite the same as Hendrix of course.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know he was not finished yet;
He spoke not a word, but—without backing band,
Strapped on his acoustic guitar and began
Instructing the audience to all sing along
To “A Day in the Life,” Mr. Hitchcock’s last song.
The whole room was magical, mystical-like,
As Robyn played on with nary a mike.
And I heard him exclaim, as he stepped out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

(Well, he didn’t actually say that, but we here at Schizomusica wish you’s all Happy Holidaze!)