Cast at Electric Ballroom Camden

The Evening

Another Friday night, another gig, and another trip to London. This time it was Cast at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, with Jimmy along for the adventure.

Jimmy decided to drive to Colchester and catch the train from there. A perfectly sensible idea, as it turned out, and one that would prove rather inspired later on.

We arrived in a lively Camden around half five and found a pub for a couple of pints. Then came the usual umming and ahhing over what to have for tea. Korean street food won the argument and was rather lush. Another pub followed for the first half of the Ipswich game before we headed into the venue.

The Gig

Cast are one of the most polished live bands out there. John Power and company make it look effortless, and you can tell they’re enjoying every minute. That enjoyment seeps from every pore and straight into the audience.

Having only had a couple of pints, I found myself people-watching more than usual. It was noticeable how many people seemed to be there for the 1990s nostalgia rather than to celebrate the newer material. Nothing wrong with enjoying the old favourites, of course, but Cast have continued to produce music well worth hearing. Another sold-out venue is what matters, and everyone was having a great time.

The set made that point rather nicely. They opened with Don’t Look Away and Calling Out Your Name, before Free Me led into the unmistakable Sandstorm and Fine Time. Newer songs such as Say Something New and Birds Heading South sat alongside Teardrops, Live the Dream and Walkaway. It wasn’t just a trip down memory lane.

The latter part of the main set brought Free Love, Tomorrow Call My Name and Flying, with Guiding Star rounding things off before the encore.

And then came the highlight of my evening: the legendary P. P. Arnold joining Cast for Way It’s Gotta Be (Oh Yeah) and Poison Vine. What an absolute treat.

P. P. has just turned 80. She started out in the 1960s as one of the Ikettes, backing Ike and Tina Turner, before building a solo career of her own. Her recording of Cat Stevens’ The First Cut Is the Deepest remains, for my money, the definitive version. Seeing her sharing the stage with Cast was something rather special.

History and Alright brought the evening to a close, sending a packed Electric Ballroom home happy.

Setlist

Don’t Look Away
Calling Out Your Name
Free Me
Sandstorm
Fine Time
Say Something New
Birds Heading South
Teardrops
Live the Dream
Walkaway
Free Love
Tomorrow Call My Name
Flying
Guiding Star

Encore

Devil and the Deep
Way It’s Gotta Be (Oh Yeah) — with P. P. Arnold
Poison Vine — with P. P. Arnold
History
Alright

Setlist source: setlist.fm

The Journey Home

And here’s where Jimmy’s decision to drive to Colchester came into its own. Storm Austen had deposited a tree on the railway at Manningtree, meaning trains from London were terminating at Colchester and couldn’t continue to Ipswich. Plenty of stranded passengers, but our car was exactly where we needed it. I wouldn’t claim Jimmy can predict railway disruption, but he certainly played a blinder this time.

Great company, a couple of pints, excellent Korean food, a band at the top of its game and the unexpected pleasure of P. P. Arnold. Cast remain a terrific live proposition. And Jimmy can organise the trains next time.