'I know most of you aren't used to music that goes this fast so put on your racing helmets' said Ryan Adams as he launched into set opener 'Dirty Rain' last night (March 19th) at the Royal Albert Hall in support of Teenager Cancer Trust.
Introduced by a teenage cancer survivor Charlotte, who was flanked by Noel Gallagher, this wasn't just any ordinary show. Although Adams is such a prolific songwriter, to say that he played hit after hit would be an understatement. To any average punter this was good show, but to any passionate Adams fan this was a hit fest which included My Winding Wheel, Let It Ride and Come Pick Me Up. Not forgetting two new songs and the new smash hit improv single Loaf of Bread, of course.
It's these improv songs which make his shows so good and so unpredictable, never knowing what the setlist will be from one show to the next. In Brighton in 2011 it was a song about not drinking your orange juice, last night a loaf of bread. Adams did say that he often feels like he goes to his shows to watch the audience rather than the other way round. I for one would quite enjoy an improv show based on the constant ramblings of audience members that comes with every Ryan Adams show. Although it is usually grown men screaming I LOVE YOU RYAN!! Like a teenage girl swooning after their latest crush.
His last few UK tours have been solo adventures and so the return of a band was a refreshing one, however this wasn't any ordinary band. Flanked by Ethan Johns amongst others this was a pretty cool supergroup for the alt country fans out there. I can honestly say that he is back to his very best.
Reviewed by @thejoeeley
Ryan Adams played;
Dirty Rain
Ashes & Fire
My WInding Wheel
Fix It
Where I Meet You In My Mind
Loaf of Bread
Please Don't Let Me Go
Why Do They Leave?
Invisble Riverside
Let It Ride
Nobody Girl
In The Shadows
Oh My Sweet Carolina (Solo)
English Girls Approximately (Solo
Dear John
Do I Wait
I Love You But I Don't Know What To Say
Come Pick Me Up