An Evening With Ian McCulloch, Robin 2, Bilston - review

The Liverpudlian frontman of 80s rock band Echo and The Bunnymen came to Bilston's Robin 2 to give his fans an intimate show, offering a glimpse into his approach to the art of songwriting and dishing up hilarious insights to life, music and more.

The show was billed as 'An Evening With Ian McCulloch' - and that is a suitable description. To me it felt like we were in my kitchen and he had decided to bring his guitar round for a few hours.

That intimacy was the show's strength as it allowed not only McCulloch's unique voice and lyrics to shine through, but his comedic talents, which can go unnoticed.

He has long been known as 'Mac The Mouth' for his no-holds-barred put-downs of other artists, but last night he just simply couldn't stop talking; giving a whole new meaning to the nickname.

To say he is a funny man would be an understatement, I have literally been to stand-up gigs where there were less laughs in the crowd.

From Thatcher to false teeth, the human anatomy to whiskey, McCulloch has a great take on almost anything - and isn't afraid to share it.

So to the music, which is what persuades fans to part with their cash.

Songs like Killing Moon and Nothing Ever Lasts Forever work so well in acoustic form, as it really allows you to see the simple beauty in how they are written, as well as finding new depth to the lyrics.

McCulloch is a great singer and songwriter who can hold a crowd in the palm of his hands and there is perhaps no one of his era better suited for this type of show.

His claim that 'little old me wrote the 10 best songs of all time' may be wide of the mark, but he certainly gave the 300-odd people in the Robin 2 one of the best nights of the year.