Ann of the people

Even if the Pope had been playing bass with The Sex Pistols you would still have thought that it would be tough to get a crowd into Whelan’s on what was the sunniest Sunday evening of the year so far.

Regardless, Ann Scott drew a crowd that lapped up her clever lyrics, evocative melodies and fantastic voice.

Cliona Quinlan’s accompaniment on violin gave some of Scott’s opening songs a real Velvet Underground feel. As Scott sang ‘Back To You’ and ‘Whistle Tom’ Quinlan’s bowing and plucking of the violin added major atmosphere to the songs and the crowd were no longer thinking about missing out on sunshine, they were just enjoying the music.

Having agreed not to tell any jokes between songs, Ann did apologise for the sake of anyone who had left a beach to be there, but there was no need. Her songs were littered with references to water, sea and sun, and ‘Pebble Strand’ was almost better than the real thing.

Switching between acoustic and electric guitar, the songs were original and instantly likeable. I can’t have been the only bloke in attendance who was wishing that Ann was singing directly to me.

The first real summer evening had arrived, and Ann Scott provided the perfect soundtrack.

Just a final note to the idiots that insist on having their mobile phones switched on during gigs like this… please piss off.