(Pic: Tim Booth)
Tim Booth / Trap2 - Royal Northern College Of Music - 9.11.04

As soon as Trap2 walk on-stage it's clear they don't view this gig as just another support slot. In their minds it's a double headline tour and they'd be right in thinking that as this show is equally about Trap2 as it is Tim Booth. Fresh from supporting Kasabian on tour in November the band have learnt alot about the live shows and now they really flow like veterans.

At times it is strange to think that this is a new band rather than the work of genius reformed from their 70s heyday. Once in a while a band will come along that send shivers down your spine and can reach the heights of the great's like Bowie, Dr John and Dylan and this band have it all. As well as the classic Led Zep influences, tracks morph from Doors-esque trippy psychedelia to Glam Country Stompers. A real behemoth beast of a band, Trap2 sound like a muscular steroid addicted version of the Second Coming era Stone Roses, but their headset is a much with Ian Brown's grooves as it is with John Squire's riffs. Within 12 months this band will be selling out venues larger than Tim Booth or Kasabian ever can.


(Pic: Trap2)

Starting off with an acoustic version of "Laid" Tim Booth is at ease with bridging the gap between his former work with James and his current solo work. In the confines of the RNCM, Booth has turned himself into a crooner dressed in dapper attire revelling in the intimate theatre. His solo career so far has taken in twists and turns with his 5th ever solo gig at Glastonbury as well as appearances at Move and T In The Park and yet many people are here for these intimate gigs more out of curiosity than his solo work.

Of the new songs it's "Wave Hello" and "Down To The Sea" that really stand out, despite the fact that Tim is struggling through the chants of beered up scallies throughout. Much more at ease than he was on those early live shows, the songs benefit from being played a lot more freely and as usual Booth gets lost in the music with his tantric dancing. When a drunken fan begs to come on stage during "In The Darkness" he apes the infamous moves and it's like something out of Harry Hill.

Closing on a haunting version of "Fall In Love" Tim Booth proves why we fell in love with his former band James so much. As well as the anthems such as "Sit Down" or "Come Home", Booth can croon with the best of them and backed with a stark acoustic guitar his vocals soar over crowd like a lullaby quietening the room in stunned silence. While he'll never reach the heights he has previously, as an solo artist Booth offers a relaxed and experimental approach that James rarely touched on.

Words: Alex McCann
Photos: Karen McBride www.karenmcbride.com

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