London band play Fopp instore to support the release of their debut album
I've been to instore signings before, but never an instore gig, so I didn't really know what to expect. Maybe a long queue to get in, perhaps having to peer over CD racks to see and certainly wishing I had been able to get there earlier in order to avoid the former.
How wrong I was. After racing down the M1 from work to Nottingham, I arrived pretty darn close to the scheduled 6pm instore gig. Despite posters advertising Red Light Company's appearance, Fopp music store looked pretty empty, bar a handful of people congregated in the far right hand corner of the store. I thought perhaps I had arrived on the wrong day, but the posters told me I hadn't. So I grabbed Fine Fascination, paid a humble £6 for it on CD (great value from Fopp as always) and headed to the corner of the store.
Minutes later, Richard Frenneaux, Chris Edmonds and Shawn Day appeared on the tiny square area which was raised 4' or so off the ground. Three members short, the Red Light Company trio began their set with With Lights Out, played on a small acoustic guitar, keyboards and backed up with some vocals from all three band members. As always, Frenneaux's voice is distinct, delicate and perfect for the band's sound. The keyboards assisted the acoustic guitar to make a big, big sound and Day's backing vocals helped make the performance sound warm and atmospheric. A faultless yet modest performance, the small crowd clapped along at the end before they shyly introduced the next song, their latest single Arts & Crafts. They followed this with set closer Scheme Eugene. It was nice to see people mouthing along the words and it was a great song to end with. Almost abruptly, they then left the 'stage' to a more enthusiastic round of clapping.
I looked around to see maybe 20 or 30 people in the store. Looking at them I could tell it felt as odd to them as it did to me, to be in a record store watching a band play a short acoustic set. Odd but satisfying, especially as there was such a low turn-out. It was as though we'd been let into a little secret.
Turning back to the area that was the stage minutes ago, the missing members of the band had appeared and lined up to sign albums for tonight's attendees. After congratulating Frenneaux and Edmonds on an enjoyable set, they revealed to me they don't play acoustically very often hence keeping it short yet sweet. I wouldn't have known if I hadn't been told. Next thing I knew, I was being ushered to the end of the line, passed members of the band who hadn't performed this evening, to collect my album inner which was kindly signed with gold and silver pens by the entire band.
I wouldn't have predicted it, but at half past six, I was back in my car heading home almost as if it hadn't have happened.
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