A rare appearance in Nottingham, as part of his annual pre-Christmas mini-tour, saw Richard Hawley play to a sold out crowd at The Level, backed by a five-piece band of tight, but lucid musicians...
Every guitarist worth his salt has got a stellar back story for how their first proper guitar fell into their hands - and Sheffield rockabilly troubadour Richard Hawley is no different.
As a fresh-faced teenager besotted by the tender axe-playing of Roger McGuinn, the desire to emulate his heroes burned strong, so when a roadie friend of musician-but-out-on-strike-steelworker dad called to ask if he’d be interested in an instrument that had come his way (via payment by legendary Shadows’ guitarist Hank Marvin), Hawley Sr was certainly interested. But, as Hawley Jr regales us mid-way through his set on a blustery Thursday night, things were not that straightforward.
“It was gonna cost a hundred quid and in the ‘80s that might as well have been a million. Thankfully, me gran got wind of the deal and offered to loan me dad the money as it was me 16th birthday coming up. So, 40-odd years later, I’d just like to say thanks gran and thanks Hank!”
This fabulous yarn preceded Richard airing the oldest song in his set, Just Like The Rain (“as you’ll see - I’ve always been a miserable f****r!”).
Sporting a vintage white jacket with black-trimmed collars and pockets, the 57-year-old looked every bit the rock’n’roll aficionado as he ran through cuts from across his substantial back-catalogue as part of his In This City They Call You Love tour.
The ominous, but magnificent Standing At The Sky’s Edge, from his acclaimed musical of the same name, proved another early high-point, while the magisterial and soundtrack to many a first dance, Tonight The Streets Are Ours, was nonchalantly dished out mid-set - such is the confidence the former Pulp and Longpigs’ sideman has in his own material. The lush, crooning Coles Corner (a fabled meeting place back home for first dates) further cemented Hawley’s reputation as the Sheffield Sinatra, while Don’t Stare At The Sun left us equally moved.
Several nods to his hometown were made throughout, but none more so than when a replica road sign welcoming us to his fabled South Yorkshire anchor was proudly held aloft. The title track from his latest long-player struck a chord with the Nottingham locals as well; we’re known to call each other love too, Richard.
Encore closer The Ocean was a warm, woozy kiss-off for a set which tipped a hat to nature, the elements and the emotions tied to them more than most. It made for a cerebral, yet heart-warming experience. Richard is a real British treasure - and it’s all thanks to good, old gran for setting him on his way.
Richard Hawley performed at The Level on 4th December 2024.
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