Live Review: Ben Ottewell
Just over a year since his last visit to Portsmouth, Ben Ottewell from Gomez returned last weekend with an equally impressive performance. One which had been re-located to one of Portsmouth’s newest venues at Staggeringly Good Brewery.
While the dinosaur-influenced business has been open a few years now, it’s one that appears to be constantly evolving. The beers are exciting and varied, along with a couple of favourites always on tap and the venue never seems to stay still.
Since acquiring a vast upstairs space towards the end of the summer, Staggeringly Good has introduced a fully-equipped bar alongside an improved sound system. Which all makes perfect sense, unlike the temporary gent’s toilet situation… but that aside, what another top night by promoters Beats and Swing!
Stepping in as last-minute support, the ever-entertaining Fugitive Orchestra is well-known on the local circuit. Even more so since having opened the main stage at this year’s Victorious Festival. While an honour very much deserved, in many ways, the one-man showman has always been well-suited to a more intimate setting. One in which you can appreciate Fugitive Orchestra’s constant use of loops and live samples.
Ben Ottewell and Fugitive Orchestra
Ben Ottewell – Staggeringly Good
Ben Ottewell takes to the stage to rapturous applause. Performing a setlist that pulls equally from his own albums as much as it does Gomez. Yet in his own-right, Ben comes across as more reflective, but still stands head-and-shoulders above your average singer-songwriter.
It’s the impressive voice that gives his 3 solo albums longevity, likewise when stripping back Gomez tunes. As Ben is somewhat of the middle ground of the band, in that he’s got the gravelly voice of Tom Gray combined with that of the more melodic Ian Ball.
Although while promoting his solo work, Ben Ottewell continues to speak very highly of his bandmates. In particularly when introducing his favourite Gomez track “Hamoa Beach” or talking about lyrics he doesn’t quite understand.
There’s even an airing of a new Gomez song too, which indicates the return of their first new studio album in years. However, it was the encore that brought out the obvious hits with wonderful renditions of both “Whippin’ Piccadilly” and “Tijuana Lady”.
There was also the classic Bill Withers tune of “Ain’t no Sunshine” thrown in too, a song many an amateur artist has failed in their attempts to re-create. Yet not Ben Ottewell, for this was a masterclass in how to be just one man and a guitar. Albeit with the back-catalogue of a more experimental indie-rock band to fall back on.
Last year’s South Parade Pier was a great show, but moving Ben to a brewery really was a staggeringly good move… and hopefully the first of many shows at the venue.
