Live Review: Liam Finn Mumuration @ The Lexington.

by | Sep 4, 2014

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Liam Finn is a force to be reckoned with. In the first of his 4 Murmuration residency shows at the Lexington, he brings his crew of old friends, new band mates The Dream Team including his brother Elroy on drums and longtime collaborator singer Eliza Jane Barnes to create a very memorable night.

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Eschewing the usual support act for a ‘play’ (in reality, more of a funny idea involving Connan Mockasin as a lizardy music teacher who mistakes a male student with a blonde wig perched on his head for a female – hi-jinx ensue) in Boston ‘N Dobson a play by Blake and Connan.

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Followed by a faux comedy club Kool Komedy Klub reads their spray painted sign, the call for jokes from the audience is put out and none other than James Blake tells one about corduroy.

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

James Blake  with Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

This sets up the communal vibe nicely as Liam Finn shows are nothing if not inclusive; of the audience and of his friends who lend a hand throughout, whether it’s smearing something (oil?) on Finn’s chest and fitting a sparkly bolero-ish jacket on him for a number in the crowd or sharing a mic on the intensely raw I’ll Be Lightning, we feel like we’re included in this close group of friends.

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Connan Mockasin is never far from the stage, playing guitar, singing, hitting the swirly noise maker thing, making eyes at Liam.

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Connan Mockasin playing with Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Despite the goofy antics, the music is as strong as ever and songs like Helena Bonham Carter and Ocean Emmanuelle (“about discovering the soft core 70’s film Emmanuelle when you’re 11”) from the new album The Nihilist both go places you don’t expect and remind us how much talent this kid has.

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Liam FInn at The Lexington on Sept 1, 2014. Mumuration residency. (Rachel Lipsitz)

Words and Photography by Rachel Lipsitz 1st September 2014. Rachel is a gifted photographer and has her own website here: http://www.littletrousers.com/

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000syMkL_IuMiI” g_name=”Liam-Finn” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Matt Bellamy of Muse @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

MUSE To Headline BST Hyde Park 2027 With Nothing But Thieves And CHVRCHES

MUSE are the latest major act announced for American Express presents BST Hyde Park 2027, taking to the Great Oak Stage in London on Saturday 26th June. The two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning rock trio will be joined by special guests Nothing But Thieves and CHVRCHES, bringing together three of the UK’s most successful and distinctive alternative acts for one of next summer’s biggest outdoor shows.

The Samurai Seven (Press)

The Samurai Seven Return With New Single ‘¡Dios Mío!’ As UK Tour With The Boo Radleys Gets Underway

The Samurai Seven continue their unexpected comeback with the release of new single ¡Dios Mío!, their second new recording in more than 20 years, following September’s Make It Real EP. The track arrives as the Oxford indie favourites begin a run of UK dates supporting The Boo Radleys, with the tour opening in Manchester.

The Great Emu War Casualties (Press)

The Great Emu War Casualties Unveil New EP ‘Mal du Siècle’ And Share ‘Groovy’

Australian alt-rock outfit The Great Emu War Casualties have released their new EP, Mal du Siècle, alongside its infectious focus track Groovy. The five-track collection finds the Melbourne-based band pushing their sound into fresh territory, swapping some of the introspection of their debut album for a more outward-looking, energetic and playfully unpredictable approach.

Skerryvore (Press)

Skerryvore Celebrate New Album ‘Beautiful Mistakes’ With Focus Track ‘Second Chance’

Skerryvore have released their ambitious new album, Beautiful Mistakes, marking another milestone in a career that has seen the Scottish band grow from their roots in the Hebrides into one of the country’s most celebrated live acts. The record arrives following the success of 2023’s Tempus, their first album to reach the UK Top 40 and a chart-topper on both the Folk Albums and Scottish Albums charts.

These Wicked Rivers (Olivia Johnson)

These Wicked Rivers Release Acoustic Version Of ‘Rise’ Ahead Of UK Headline Tour

These Wicked Rivers have released an acoustic version of their latest single, Rise, offering a fresh take on one of the key tracks from their recently released third album, Fire And Folklore. The Derbyshire rockers, who topped the UK Rock Album Chart with the record, are preparing to hit the road for an extensive run of UK headline dates, beginning in Newcastle on 19th November.

Ryan Adams @ Roundhouse - iTunes Festival 2014 (Kalpesh Patel)

Ryan Adams Announces New Album ‘Animal’ And Shares Lead Single ‘Amethyst’

Ryan Adams has announced the release of his new album, Animal, a ten-track collection arriving on 12th February 2027 through his own PAX-AM label. The announcement, made on his 52nd birthday, comes alongside the release of lead single Amethyst, offering the first taste of a record that finds the acclaimed singer-songwriter embracing a largely solo creative approach.

Harun Tekin (Press)

Harun Tekin Reimagines The Beatles, Kate Bush And Elton John On Debut Solo EP ‘A Dictionary Of Night’

Harun Tekin, lead vocalist of Turkey’s biggest alternative rock band mor ve ötesi, has released his debut solo EP, A Dictionary Of Night. The six-track collection sees the singer step into a more intimate musical space, reinterpreting songs by The Beatles, Kate Bush and Elton John, alongside three selections from the Turkish musical canon.

Royal Blood @ Brixton Academy (Abigail Shii)

Royal Blood Unveil Final Preview Of New Album ‘Dead Company’ With ‘Mother Never Told You’

Royal Blood have released Mother Never Told You, the fourth and final single to be unveiled ahead of their highly anticipated new album, Dead Company, which arrives this Friday via Warner Records.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing