GIG REVIEW: Louis Barabbas and the Bedlam Six at the Spa Theatre Review and photo by Ian Duncan

Way back in 2012 in Scarborough there was a free gathering organised by the British Beard Club. I did enter the goatee category but I was placed second in a field of two – although my editor was one of the judges and I suspect he might have marked me down. But the highlight of the weekend was the performance by Louis Barabbas and the Bedlam Six and the singer did indeed boast an impressive beast and I managed to get one of my favourite concert shots.

I FIRST saw Louis Barabbas at Acoustic Gathering a couple of years ago and remember him giving an entertaining and eccentric performance.

But that was a solo performance and I had heard that the full band was a whole different ball game.

Their appearance at the Spa was the culmination of the Beards, Beer and Barabbas event and the singer certainly boasts a beard that would be the envy of many of the entrants – I was concerned that he might have lost one or two badgers in there.

Kicking off with Mother Why Did You Raise Me This Way you can see why this band has drawn praise from the likes of Supergrass and the Mighty Boosh. It is a curious blend of blues, jazz and swing which provides the soundtrack for some intelligent and bitingly witty lyrics.

Louis’s performance, in all its foot-stomping and high kicking glory, rightly takes centre stage with its grizzled boho madness – at one point he leaped from the stage to do a circuit of the auditorium like a crazed dog.

With subject matter including killing your wife or cheating on her, I hope the singer does not consider an alternative career in marriage guidance.

But an eccentric and charismatic frontman should not detract from what is a talented and tight band which provides a feel-good blend of nicotine infused, bourbon drenched, bar-room tunes.

The show was split into two halves and it was nice to see members of the band chatting with fans during the interval.

Proceedings were nicelyrounded off with guest appearances from Rob Mackay on flute and Anthony Springall on theremin during a surreal version of a Disney track.

The Spa Theatre seemed to provide just the right Vaudevillian setting for their peculiar brand of cabaret blues. A very entertaining evening all round and it can’t be too long before they gain wider recognition.

The good news is that, judging by comments by Louis on Twitter the following day, we might not have to wait too long for their return because he has a liking for Scarborough.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, March 7, 2012.