Morcheeba
Yan Club, Beijing, China, 9 March 2003
Morcheeba... Beijing. The two words have not traditionally been acquainted
with each other. But they came together very cosily at the Yan Club tonight when
the British trip hoppers played the Chinese capital as part of the Think UK
cultural initiative promoted by the British Council and the UK's embassy in
Beijing. 
Morcheeba
didn't repeat the failure of compatriots Suede,
who played a great show to a half-empty Chaoyang Gymnasium in February. To be
fair, Brett Anderson's crew were the first major western band into rapidly
westernising China. An inept local promotion company has been blamed for the
half million pound loss Suede suffered for their efforts. But Morcheeba didn't
repeat the mistakes. Both shows, staged at the more compact Yan Club, sold out
and a good mix of locals and ex-pats showed up for the gig, to the contentment
of the UK-promoting organisers.
Skye Edwards looked more tasty than a five-star dish of Peking Duck as she took
the stage in a flowing red Havana-style dress, hair down and curly. Smiling
sexily she opened with The Sea, followed by a lovely, drawn-out Friction. It's
been a bloody long tour and rumours were that the band was tired. Thankfully
little tiredness was in evidence as the Godfrey brothers and Edwards played a
consistently crisp and high-charged set. Be Yourself and Public Displays of
Affection were particular highpoints before the evening reached majestic heights
with Over and Over.
Ross Godfrey's virtuoso guitar might be proof of his big bag of tasteful musical
influences. There's no doubt that he's the technical dynamist driving the group.
But his brother Paul is owed ultimate credit for setting the band's unmistakable
rich, smooth mood. Standing between the two Skye Edwards is a charismatic and
sultry vocalist gifted with the dulcet tones of an upscale Apollo cabaret
singer. One wonders however if her stage pranks are a little misguided: during
the show she repeatedly goads the sternly serious guards, taking a hat from too
of them as she stroked the stupefied poor fellow's cheeks and hair. Eventually
the security chief ordered his men onto the stage to reclaim the cap and his
force's honour. This is China after all, and questioning of authority isn't a
tradition. It was great provocative fun to watch for us westerners but the
Chinese present were utterly confused, not knowing whether to laugh along or
hiss. Some complained, others guffawed.
The largest disapproval of this strange night was however reserved for a
Washington native who announced his nationality to the crowd via Edwards' mike.
The boos were deafening. The political contexts were unavoidable tonight but the
music was sublime. It was left to Rome to draw the curtains on a memorable
night. Morcheeba have once again proven themselves a band of distinct sounds and
wonderful songs.
Feel
free to discuss this review on the CLUAS
Discussion Board.
