The prospect of the singular talent that is Lawrence Arabia forsaking his band for the night was enough to make this under-promoted gig in the modest upstairs room at the Lock Tavern one to investigate. Unfortunately, Lawrence (real name James Milne), was faced with an audience that was, to put it nicely, downright selfish and rude. So there. Toys out of the pram.

Milne opened his set with an acapella version of ‘Everyone’s Had Dinner With Rabbit’ from his most recent album, but its eccentric absurdity was lost as chattering drowned out his voice and the song’s subtleties. Swapping between electric guitar and ukulele, his set alternated between songs old and new, including ‘Talk About Good Times’, performed plaintively yet, again, nigh on inaudible as those passing across him and talking over him made it feel like watching a busker mournfully plod through his repertoire as apathetic commuters walked by. It was that painful.

Lawrence Arabia deserves a much wider audience than he has so far procured, and his slot, with band, at the 229 Club on 6 September I shall plug here. As for tonight, when I harassed the poor fellow afterwards he admitted he hadn’t enjoyed himself, and I felt for him, I really did.
Barnaby Smith
Pic: Rachel Lipsitz