Citadel

After travelling to London and back in six hours on a Virgin train, in first class surviving on black tea and an extortionately priced buttie, (very long story) I was in need of some decent entertainment. My plan had been to watch Carl and review him as I have done here, although with the help of a few quality alcohol drinks down my neck and a couple of words with him beforehand about his set. This most definitely didn’t happen and I made it to the Citadel with about a minute to spare before he came on stage.

“His name is Pierce, they say he’s fierce, they call him Carl Pierce”. Those who were there will remember that this the amazingly funny line from the compare. This introduction is something special compared to what he gets at the Lux! Carl rolled his eyes as he tuned his guitar then began his show.

Having watched Carl a lot, I know most of his songs. A good thing yes, that his song writing ability is first class, enabling him to write catchy lyrics that stick in peoples mind. But I am beginning feel that it’s imperative that he puts together a new set, something new for all the old who already know him.

Carl delivered his songs well and had a good stage presence. Not much was said in between each of his numbers though apart from him telling a drunken wiganer to “shush”, I’m mentioning no names! I think a little explanation of his songs would’ve gone down a treat. The Citadel is slightly too big to have a deadly silence with potential tumbleweed rolling through it. He started with “Don’t Bring me Down”. It’s an excellent song, don’t get me wrong but I felt that it sounded like a warm up sesh. After this however, he came out of himself and his voice sounded clear and warmed up.

My personal favourite has to be “When Tears Fall Down On Me”. This was his second to last song and when he played it, it was brilliant. I couldn’t hear one bum note and the amplified sound from his guitar sounded terrific. Every time he plays this song, I think to myself somebody needs to find this guy and put him on a bigger stage, with a bigger PA and let him sing to crowds of people who will love his work

Carl’s talent is about as big as Pete Doherty’s drug addiction, in fact even bigger. With the rise of manufactured pop, the world is lacking acoustic singer/songwriters that can actually sing, can actually play and actually write their own songs. Well world, there’s one here, what are you waiting for?

Nat G