A cursory glance around Southampton’s Joiners indicates a sold out audience of people who have clearly grown up with Beans on Toast. One of the most prolific songwriters of our great nation, the man is a regular Glastonbury fixture and a name synonymous with modern folk without the punk rock background of Frank Turner.
With no intro tape or any rock star trappings Beans saunters onto the stage with his piano player who immediately starts playing the beautiful piano track Away With Words from latest album Wild Goose Chasers before segueing into Faith in the Moon.
It’s initially odd to see Beans on Toast without a guitar, but as the last time we reviewed one of his live shows on this site it was just him and his guitar it was interesting to see a piano player on stage this time who was also able to play some other instruments to back him up.
Not only is Beans one of the most affable people you’ll ever meet, but he is also a fantastic raconteur, constantly spinning yarns about making the album and the stories behind the songs.
There’s something about the way the duo play songs such as Watching the World Go By that makes the audience feel like they’re just hanging out with their mate who’s brought his guitar and we get a fantastic rendition of I’m Home When You Hold Me.
After those touching songs it’s time for some of his trademark silliness with Send Me A Bird and The Chicken Song, before MDMAmazing induces the loudest singalong. Which Beans acknowledges with a mid-song speech about it being his most popular song and that he even wrote 2 songs about it. Clearly enjoying himself with the crowd, Beans on Toast breaks down the song detailing exactly what did and didn’t happen, much to the thrill of everyone in attendance.
For most artists that would be the end, but thankfully for this now fully energised sold out crowd we are barely halfway through, as Beans continues to churn out song after song. Whether it’s due to the lack of a band and therefore the songs are not privy to the usual intro/verse/chorus/solo/middle8/outro list of riffs and chords or if the man just likes to play, the difference between the set length of a Beans on Toast gig and anyone else is night and day.
Playing for approx. 2 hours covering over 20 songs from his long career – including a moment for an audience choice of song – Beans on Toast is the one artist truly giving value for money with today’s inflated ticket prices and anyone who has ever enjoyed one of his songs should try and catch him live as soon as possible.
8.5/10
For further information on Beans on Toast including tickets for the remaining live shows please head here
