Review: False Economy Benefit Gig

Tonight I attended a great benefit gig at the Star of Kings, near kings Cross, for the wonderful False Economy an organisation that is well worth putting your heart and soul into – if you have either.

Over the years I’ve attended some pretty sparse benefit gigs, some of which I may have even organised myself – however tonight’s event was exactly what you want from such an evening – good company, copious alcohol and some really excellent act. I should add that it was a short walk from my house but my understanding is this may not apply to everyone so feel free to ignore if you are outside the Kings Cross area.

The comedy compare, John Luke Roberts, was excellent. Sure, he went with the whole snide, insult the audience shtick but somehow pulled it off and kept the audience rolling with aplomb.

Highlight of the evening was Helen Arney whose comic songstressing was absolutely spellbinding. Although a short act she showed a degree of professionalism and wit rarely found and the not-nearly-drunk-enough end of the evening. It made sense to put the more cerebral acts at the beginning of the bill so no criticism is implied but late comers would have missed a real treat here.

The music was also excellent. The Heartrates, a funky electric band whose dual singers combine in a delightful mix would have had more people dancing if the room had not been full of so many po-faced lefties intent on discussing the correct attitude towards Blue Labour. For shame.

Captain Ska, who achieved the heady heights of the top one hundred last year with Liar, Liar (below), a tune best placed being pumped out by a double decker bus at the end of a march, were predictably strong, upbeat and thoroughly enjoyable.

A good time was had by all and it was all in a good cause – combating the idiocy of our current national economic policies that will genuinely cost us far, far more in the long run.