Willy Mason, Elvis Perkins - Shepherds Bush Empire, London - Wednesday 16th May 2007

I last saw Willy Mason almost exactly a year ago, supporting Radiohead. That time, he had already started to move from being a soloist, to having a few other musicians on stage with him. With a new album released recently, containing some more complex songs, I was interested to see how he would try to play them live - with the band or without? Despite the gig being at Shepherds Bush Empire, whose flat floor, and annoyingly-placed steps and bars mean that it is really difficult to see from large parts of the venue, I was looking forward to this for a while beforehand.

The support band for the whole Willy Mason tour was a guy called Elvis Perkins, a singer-songwriter from New York, who plays with an interesting band, containing a strange mix of jazz and folk instruments. For a singer/songwriter, his voice reminded me a bit of Brendan Benson, although his band was much more of an eclectic mix of musicians - a double bassist amongst them. When I first walked in and saw them playing, I was non-plussed. But, that was probably just because I walked in during a dodgy song. The songs after that were generally good, and the band really grew on me by the end of their set. More than a bit strange, but an interesting band with some good songs.

Willy Mason's set started with him strolling on stage alone, with a guitar, and starting to play Feel No Pain. By the end of the song, however, as it built up, he had been joined by a drummer, guitarist, bassist and banjo player (who also doubled as a backing singer). A much different proposition to his last headline dates, which just saw him playing solo for most of the time - "Willy Mason" is now a full band, full time, and I have to say is quite a bit better for it. The sound is generally bigger, as you would expect, and Willy himself seemed more confident as the leader of a band, rather than the vulnerable guy with a guitar that he used to be.

The sound from the band was technically impeccable for all of the set, this is a complex, well-rehearsed set, and it sounded incredible - especially for some of the more recent, more intricate songs like new single We Can Be Strong, and When The Leaves Have Fallen - which is a masterpiece. Of course, there were a decent number of older songs on show too, but the sound was fantastic, and it was great to hear such good musicianship.

Now, you know when you go to see Willy Mason, that most of the songs will be slow, quiet, and, well, reflective - with lyrics that need to be listened to properly. You need to stand still, be quiet and pay attention, and there is unlikely to be any crowd surfing or moshing. That's the deal, in return you get a great gig. But all that does get ruined when there are literally dozens of people at the back of the venue, talking really loudly over the top of the music. Mostly, I have to say, girls, who were obviously there to see the hit singles, but otherwise to chat and giggle with their mates about the current stock of Top Shop on Oxford Street (this was an actual overheard conversation, not an unfair stereotype).

There is a pub next door to Shepherds Bush Empire on either side (a Walkabout and an O'Neills in fact), which provide perfect venues for such inane chatting of shit. I do wish that several dozen people had chosen that option instead tonight, rather than going to see Willy Mason, but ruining the enjoyment of hundreds of others that had gone to actually listen to the music. Why they went to see a band, then didn't watch or listen to them, escapes me.

Anyway, lets take nothing away from Willy Mason himself and his band. Their sound was incredible, and they are definitely better as a full band, because it really allows the cleverness of the songs to come to the fore. Luckily, Willy Mason confirmed an appearance at Glastonbury today too, so hopefully I'll get a chance to see him again soon, without all the idiots yapping at the back.