REVIEW: Richard Hawley Live from York Museum Gardens

Richard Hawley and band took Coles Corner to the York Museum Gardens this weekend, for an evening of vintage tracks of nostalgia, love, and loss, amongst the St Mary’s Abbey ruins.

In recognition of the Sheffield musician’s album - Coles Corner, turning 20 this year, the album was performed in full for the first time, accompanied by a string section.

Richard Hawley performing to the York crowd - Image by Natasha Judge

Classic tracks including ‘Just Like the Rain’, ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’ and ‘(Wading Through) The Waters of My Time’ were beautifully sung, accompanied by photos of Hawley’s family throughout.

Hawley was good in providing crowd interaction between tracks, and regularly made the crowd laugh - arguably warming them up for any audience attendees also attending the York Comedy Festival, in the gardens the following day.

When discussing the contents of the show he said he could say something really meaningful, but instead made jokes.

He said: “We decided to cash in and make fuck loads of money.

“I have never done anything like this before, it’s the first time - I hope we’re not making knobheads of ourselves again!”

Fan favourite song ‘The Ocean’ was performed mid-set due to the full album playthrough, which Hawley jokingly said was normally a show closer.

Fans of Richard Hawley will know his connection to Sheffield is deep rooted within his music, and its resonance with the York crowd clearly carried across the county. The album Coles Corner was named after a favourite meeting place of Sheffield locals, located between Fargate and Church Street.

Throughout various points in the evening, emotion could be felt within the crowd as they heard anecdotes, and the raw vulnerability of some of Hawley’s lyricism. This was especially felt in Coles Corner penultimate track ‘Who’s Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet?’ - a track of which his mother taught him, and one he sang to his children growing up.

Though the Yorkshireman continued with the jokey narration, and said he hoped people wouldn't fall asleep due to the nature of the lullaby-esque song.

He said: “It is a quiet song, feel free to talk through.”

After a playback of the final album track - ‘Last Orders’, Hawley returned to the stage to perform a selection from his discography outside the album.

Richard Hawley joined by string section at York Museum Gardens - Image by Natasha Judge

Tracks including ‘Alone’, ‘She Brings the Sunlight’, and ‘Open Up Your Door’, were well received with the audience, and Hawley reiterated much love was sent from Sheffield to York - despite him being an Owls supporter!

Closing on track ‘Heart of Oak’, the addition of the string section really made the evening that much more atmospheric, with the sunsetting over the beautiful track.

A round of Yorkshire applause for Richard Hawley - Image by Natasha Judge

The evening was opened well by Scottish musician Hamish Hawk, followed by BC Camplight. Fronted by Manchester based American, Brian James Christinzio, the group performed some tracks for the first time to the crowd.

The new album ‘A Sober Conversation’ came out last week, and the five piece performed a funky new track from this named ‘Two Legged Dog’.

Recent Mercury Prize winners - English Teacher, also made the line-up, and being both Lancashire and Leeds based, they warmed the crowd up for the continuing Yorkshire billing. Coming fresh from Glastonbury Park Stage, the group performed new track ‘Toothpick’, alongside their hits ‘R&B’ and ‘Nearly Daffodils’.

English Teacher taking to the stage at Live at York Museum Gardens - Image by Natasha Judge

The event was very well organised by the Futuresound group, with many staff, security, and refreshment options, and guidance upon arrival and exit. With performances in the gardens from Elbow, and Nile Rodgers and Chic earlier in the week, and York group Shed Seven last year, it is hoped that more outdoor live music events in York will become a more regular occurrence for the city.

You can keep up to date with Museum Garden events here and you can catch Richard Hawley performing Coles Corner across various dates, which can be accessed here.

Setlist:

Coles Corner

Just Like The Rain

Hotel Room

Darlin’ Wait for Me

The Ocean

Born Under a Bad Sign

I Sleep Alone

Tonight

(Wading Through) The Waters of My Time

Who’s Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet?

Last Orders

She Brings the Sunlight

Galley Girl

Prism in Jeans

Open Up Your Door

Alone

Heart of Oak