Photo credit: Rhys Dolman
Words by: Sam Walker-Smart
If there’s ever a day to indulge in some crooning, it’s a Sunday. Returning to the laid-back atmosphere of Fairfax Street’s Strange Brew, we were treated to just that by Amsterdam’s one and only Cosmic Crooner. Decked out in a flared suit, shades, and a high-collared shirt, he fully embraced every inch of the retro lothario persona. Much like Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, the Crooner shares a passion for the baroque pop and orchestral rock of the 1960s. But unlike Sheffield’s famous son, he clearly has a sense of humor about his shtick. This is a fact made evident by his unconventional backing: a solitary reel-to-reel tape recorder.
As a seasoned concertgoer, I’ve witnessed all sorts of stage setups— two drummers, saw players, even a dude hitting a bucket—but this was the first time hearing a sweeping, cinematic sound projected through such antique technology. Not only does this “bandmate” not cost a penny in touring costs, but it also offers a brilliantly disarming way to start a set. The crooner then messes around with his playback, getting a laugh out of the audience as he establishes his quirky brand of one-man showmanship. Once the crowd is warmed up to his unique approach, he impresses with songs off his 2023 debut, The Perks of Being a Hypocrite.
The audience might only be 320 chilly Brits, some still wearing scarves, but to the Cosmic Crooner, it feels as though he’s performing in a grand and opulent amphitheater. He gestures to the crowd, holds a woman’s hand while serenading her, and even whips out a pretty perfect rendition of Scott Walker’s “Jackie” while strumming an acoustic guitar. It’s a perplexing yet captivating half-hour. One thing is for sure: those present won’t forget this strange balladeer anytime soon.
Also going for a stripped-back approach is tonight’s headliner, Mattiel. Frontperson Mattiel Brown takes the stage with just a drum machine, keys, and a bit of guitar wizardry to accompany her. It’s a choice that suits this short, five-date UK tour and the intimacy of this venue. Without a new record to promote, the band plays around with some older material and roadtests a handful of unreleased numbers.
“It is chilly. I don’t know how you all do it,” Brown chuckles as a steaming mug of tea is brought to her early on in the set. True, the remnants of Storm Darragh have left much of the south of England and Wales feeling like an ice box, but after a few garage rock and honky-tonk numbers, the crowd is already stripping down to their tees.
Even paired back vocals and guitar, it’s clear why the likes of Jack White championed Mattiel early on. Her commanding, tremolo-esque vocal style complements the Southern Gothic tones of her tunes, which revolve around lost loves, devils, and regrets. It’s just pure, timeless rock ‘n’ roll.
On their most recent album, Georgia Gothic, the project stepped away from their signature deep-fried sound and added dashes of indie rock elements. The results were impressive, with fan favorites like “Jeff Goldblum” (which led to live jazz duets with the Jurassic Park actor himself) and “Lighthouse” both getting airings.
“Ok. This is where we pretend to go away, and you cry ‘No!’ and we come back,” Mattiel says before darting off the stage. As promised, the trio returned for a two-track encore, including the foot-tapping number “Keep The Change.” By this point, both the band and crowd were in high spirits, with beers fueling stadium-worthy cheers.
A few Italians even splash wine around while dancing. The show, though toned down, was never lacking energy. It was a cozy, intimate performance perfect for a December night. It allowed fans to see some well-loved material performed in a more intimate way. Even when reduced to its bare bones, Mattiel’s songwriting continues to impress.
