It is a brave man who takes to the stage to the strains of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's The Power of Love.
But Malcolm Middleton did just that – and then he outstripped said power ballad with an acoustic armament of odes to hope, life, love and the lack thereof.
First, however, came a star support turn from alt-MOR seducer Human Don't Be Angry – a shadowy figure who bore an uncanny resemblance to Middleton and with good reason: they are one and the same. Middleton spawned HDBA as an "ambient guitar" alter ego last year, but the latter has quickly assumed a voice of his own. The atmospheric, late-night drive-pop of Monologue: River and the glimmering post-rock of Asklipiio promised electrifying things from HDBA's forthcoming debut album, Midnight Noodles.
The comedy potential of an artist being his own support act was not lost on Middleton – both guises belittled the other on-stage – but the high point came during Middleton's excellent headline set. "This is a cover of a Human Don't Be Angry Song," he deadpanned.
For a singer-songwriter who has long been (erroneously) pegged as miserabilist – both in his own right and as one half of Arab Strap – Middleton's shows, and songs, are pragmatic, droll and life-affirming. And so it was that he had the room in full voice for his "feel-good song about living," We're All Going to Die, (which vied for the Christmas No1 spot a few years back); restorative alt-folk fable Devil and the Angel and elegiac anthem Love Comes in Waves.
"Stop it, you'll give me confidence," said Middleton after a round of applause, but the crowd just kept cheering. That's the power of love.
HHHH
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