Megson - live at the Big Session
Posted by Kuang on Wed, 23 Jun 2010.
“Do you like my jeans? They weren’t skinny when I bought them, so either my legs have grown or my jeans have shrunk. Deb says I shouldn’t wear skinny jeans because they make my skinny legs look even skinnier”
Debbie Hanna, the other half of Teesside folk duo Megson puts on an affronted face and responds “No Stu, I just said skinny legs make your big feet look like clown shoes”
Debbie and Stu are on cracking form today in their first appearance at the Big Session, bouncing off each other with an engaging blend of supercharged folk, lively back stories, and personal insults. Megson weave a love of northern folk traditions into their work, starting with a take on the old cautionary tale Durham Gaol; Stu’s mournful acapella intro ushers the hall into silence before stomping ahead and kicking up the energy levels ready for the rest of their relatively short slot.
Most of the set this evening revolves around the duo’s fourth album ‘The Longshot’, comprised largely of original material themed around experiences of life in the north across all areas of society. Even the bittersweet title track, relating the trials of supporting a less-than-stellar football club, is presented with genuine warmth and leaves you feeling uplifted, if contemplative. Megson skip through the whole gamut of emotions this evening, from the edgy, protest song feel of ‘Working Life Out’ to the quiet, down at heel storyline of ‘Two Match Lads’.
The furious stomp of ‘Working Town’ has heads bobbing across the hall and a few brave souls breaking into spontaneous jigs, and is likely to join ‘Smoke of Home’ and ‘Fell to the Breeze’ as high energy live favourites. Megson always amaze me with their ability to fill a hall with sound from such minimal arrangements and instrumentation, as last year’s brilliant appearance at Birmingham Symphony Hall proved, and this evening is no exception – they perform with a spirit and energy that puts many larger bands to shame.
Above all, it’s Stu and Debbie’s engaging and personable nature that really makes the gig. I absolutely adore these two for their ability to make every single member of the crowd feel appreciated, and it’s no surprise that they’re able to win over even the most grizzled of the hardcore folkies with ease. For my money they’re one of the best groups on the live acoustic circuit, and worth catching up with at any cost.