Gig Review: Idlelive@ Idlewild 18th May 2008

ukevents · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 1941

Gig Review: Idlelive@ Idlewild

If you're looking to spend a Sunday evening catching up with friends over a good meal and rocking to live music, head on over to Idlelive@ Idlewild in the leafy West London suburb of Maida Vale, a beautiful 5 minute walk away from Warwick Avenue tube station.

Idlelive is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Arnon Yahav who gathers good friends together every Sunday from 6.30pm for a series of short performances that changes on a weekly basis.

Claudine and I arrived at Idlewild around 7pm, wandering upstairs passed shadowy framed butterflies that gave us an air of mystery before we stepped into the atmospherically moody, decadent lounge. There was already a sizeable crowd that just grew and grew as Kazu got us all warmed up with some cool beats on his decks. We settled onto a sofa and felt the stress of the week begin to float away.

Then Arnon got the guitar out and had us all chilled out within minutes with sweet tunes of love, turning out some tricks on his loop machine. He wove a spell on the crowd, telling us later that he grew up on jazz, rock, grunge, rhythm and blues and his music evokes those influences along with a heavy folk and gypsy feel.

It was now Sophies turn to mesmerise us with her soulful poetry and ask the very same questions she asked ' Will my fear of settle leave me walking alone?' By now the crowd had doubled and us fans were waving our hands for more. Perfect time for Leanoland Argi and Ben to push the boundaries of hip hop and rap with a couple of tracks from his new album, 'Just Another Human Being'.

It was also time to see if Idlewild's Victorian parlor meet French brasserie look made up for good food as it did for music and atmosphere. The menu here is an interesting interpretation of classic British gastropub with a distinct French flavor and changes on a daily basis with separate menus for lunch and dinner.

Claudine and I shared a slightly tender Bavette steak with red wine sauce, roast shallots and buttery Lyonnaise potatoes (£13.00) although it left me wanting my own portion. We also tried the roast butternut squash with spinach, red onions, goat's cheese and pesto and found the flavours complemented each other perfectly.

After that we just had to try dessert.We chose the plum compote and warm almond cake. The plums were juicy and tart although the cake was slightly dry. Everyone we spoke to, recommended the chocolate mousse that unfortunately wasn't on the night's menu.

But further dessert thoughts were abandoned when Wade Bayliss strolled onto the stage, dressed for the night in a funky jacket from Camden.Wade definitely amped the sexy feel and did the crowd love him, we were swaying from side to side listening to him croon about love lost and trying to move on. Which one of us hasn't been there before? Joe and Chris had took the floor next rocking us on with their blues charm with Lazy Sunday Afternoon and Rock'Roll Man, just perfect we think, for a lazy Sunday evening.

Arnon later asked how we would define their music. Not quite Indie, not quite gypsy, certainly all of them are set to push genre boundaries. But what captured our hearts and what I'm certain will capture yours, is the sincerity of their lyrics and how it warms somewhat cynical hearts. It's music that allows to reminisce about the past, consider the present and is hopeful of the future.

So if you're looking for talented live music in a wonderful atmosphere where you're almost guaranteed of good nosh, head to Shirland Road this Sunday and let Arnon and Idlelive charm the socks off your feet. See you there.

http://www.myspace.com/leanoland
http://www.myspace.com/wadebaylissmusic
http://www.myspace.com/idlelive

Reviewed by Lydia for UKEvents.net