The Fleece , 22nd February 2022
Tonight was the opening night of Babybird’s tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1997 album ‘Ugly Beautiful’. The commercial high point of their career, the gold-selling album made the top 10 in the UK and spawned that song. It’s not just about that song though – there are 3 more top 40 hits on this record – “Goodnight”, “Candy Girl” and “Cornershop” – all of which are played tonight and rapturously received by the crowd in the quite full venue.
Anniversary album shows are increasingly popular. Usually, the record is played in full and often in order from start to finish but that is not the case tonight. In fact, only 7 of the 15 tracks get an airing which may surprise some. Most of tonight’s audience, however, appear to be quite familiar with front-man Stephen Jones and know that this wouldn’t be so straight forward.
Jones has picked up a history of strange on stage interaction with audiences and a general refusal to ‘play the game’ and capitalise on his enormous 1997 hit.
Opening with “Getaway” from 2000 album ‘Bugged’, it’s made clear from the outset that we aren’t getting just the ‘Ugly Beautiful’ album in full.
Jones’ voice is instantly recognisable. He points out that he turns 60 this year but he sounds in fine form and almost identical to the 90’s recordings of the songs. The playing is faultless, the guitars in particular are louder and more exciting than on record.
The gig overruns by about 30 minutes on the advertised stage times as the band return for a 6 song encore. With 16 songs played which are not on ‘Ugly Beautiful’ this feels less like a celebration of that record and more like a celebration of a generally underrated back catalogue.
“You’re Gorgeous” is, of course, a British pop classic and welcomed as such this evening but the real pleasure is being reminded of, or introduced to, the fact that Babybird have at least 22 other seriously good songs.
Ryan Simmonds 
Craig J Simmonds Media
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