06 November 2006 (gig)
14 November 2006
'Crazy' has been inescapable this summer. It made history as the first ever download-only number one single and the dreamy, uplifting pop anthem won a Q and MTV Music Award. But the music world is used to the curse of the 'one-hit wonder,' with the fickle industry quick to move on to the next big thing when the novelty wears off.
Gnarls Barkley gig at the Brixton Empire has proved they don't fit into this category. A flower power theme, ultra funky siren string quartet and the powerful vocals of front-man Cee-Lo wowed the crowd.
Opening with Cream classic 'Sunshine Of Your Love', Cee-Lo, clad in a curly black wig, sunglasses and hippy waistcoat poeticized, laughed and filled the auditorium with deep, southern soul, DJ. Producer Danger Mouse performed on the keyboards.
Highlights in the show included 'St.Elsewhere', 'Crazy' got the waving lighters out and the finale - the irrisistably catchy 'Smiley Faces', got the audience jumping, ending the night on a massive high.
Gnarls Barkley is original, exciting, confident and brought a spell-binding version of psychedelic soul to Brixton.
