Daniel Johnston's Midnight Gig - By Sally Webb
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His voice captures everyone's attention, and the poignant lyrics float through the room and up to the balcony area. No one dances, no-one even sings along, it's all about this man on stage, singing and gently plucking the strings on his guitar. Behind me, I can here a commotion. Someone doesn't get it, and wants to share his opinion with the room. Because Daniel appears so vulnerable, you can't help but feel protective. A couple of fans ask the noisy objector to "go and listen to The Arctic Monkeys then" and with a little fuss, he leaves.
His guitarist joins him on stage to move the gig to another level. He does "Speeding Motorcycle", "Casper The Friendly Ghost" and a fantastic cover of The Beatles track "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" of whom he is a massive fan. Outside during a break in his set I overhear trendy student types say "A free Daniel Johnston gig is a once in a lifetime experience".
Hot Club De Paris join Daniel onstage, who perform fantastically alongside the American musician. After calls for "True Love Will Find You In The End" Daniel performs possibly his most well known song. The gig is coming to an end and Daniel asks "So this is Liverpool huh?". He elongates the words with his Texan drawl, and his excitement at playing in the home of The Beatles peeks through. It's over. And Daniel abruptly, but not rudely, walks off stage, the microphone making a loud thud as it falls to the floor. Everybody leaves, and I can't help but feel as if I have seen something special. It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was provocative and intimate, and Daniel proves himself to be a very unique talent. You can purchase the documentary featuring Daniel and his struggle with mental illness "The Devil and Daniel Johnston"
.
Daniel Johnston's website contains music and artwork, as well as biographical details and links to his fansite www.hihowareyou.com
His guitarist joins him on stage to move the gig to another level. He does "Speeding Motorcycle", "Casper The Friendly Ghost" and a fantastic cover of The Beatles track "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" of whom he is a massive fan. Outside during a break in his set I overhear trendy student types say "A free Daniel Johnston gig is a once in a lifetime experience".
Hot Club De Paris join Daniel onstage, who perform fantastically alongside the American musician. After calls for "True Love Will Find You In The End" Daniel performs possibly his most well known song. The gig is coming to an end and Daniel asks "So this is Liverpool huh?". He elongates the words with his Texan drawl, and his excitement at playing in the home of The Beatles peeks through. It's over. And Daniel abruptly, but not rudely, walks off stage, the microphone making a loud thud as it falls to the floor. Everybody leaves, and I can't help but feel as if I have seen something special. It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was provocative and intimate, and Daniel proves himself to be a very unique talent. You can purchase the documentary featuring Daniel and his struggle with mental illness "The Devil and Daniel Johnston"
.
Daniel Johnston's website contains music and artwork, as well as biographical details and links to his fansite www.hihowareyou.com
When Daniel Johnston first appears on stage, it's a very understated affair. With a black T-Shirt, messy hair and slightly dirty jogging bottoms, the guy doesn't seem to fit being in the spotlight. People cheer, he looks shy, and the gig begins. He starts with an acoustic number, and, because he never introduces his songs, the title passes me by. It feels like a very private performance, as if maybe he's all alone. Half-way through he asks nervously, "Y'all with me so far?", to shouts of support and loud applause. Slowly growing with confidence, he continues his acoustic part of the set.