Nikki Sudden Review - The Crypt, Camberwell, London

Hi there,
Here are a couple of reviews I wrote, looking for a home.

Nikki Sudden - The Crypt, Camberwell, London, UK

We showed up about 8. Amazingly it was free. It turned out to be a MAD Pride benefit night, but I've not idea how they could've made any money as the drinks were cheap too.
Nikki was sitting a corner by the door with one of his young women. He looked fantastic - blue suit with matching embroidered scarf, shortish cropped hair.

Before Nikki took the stage there were poetry readings. It took a bit to get use to but they soon turned surprisingly good; an old man ranting about love andsitting in parks, fish and chips, the state of the nation and how its not like it use to be.

After the poetry readings was a mod/punk support covers band. Not bad - the Jam, the Who.
When Nikki came on he was immediately distressed about the sound, it was sorted out during the first song, but I don't think Nikki was totally happy with it, he let out a 'well that's vaguely alright' as he continued.

After that Nikki had to stop mid-song to silence a man standing amid the seated crowdtalking too loudly (the same man had been making love (v. convincingly) to a dark-wooden table earlier in the night - he also proposed to my girlfriend). The man was quietened down and soon left.
Nikki looks great and he must be 40! He has great stage mannerisms and gestures. When he's playing he'll roll his eyes in mock boredom, resembling a mildly annoyed Jagger(when forced to change the lyrics of 'lets spend the night together' to 'some time together'). Also he'll throw his head straight up and fix on a spot on the ceiling for a split secondand he'll ruffle his hair in a similar, but more refined way to Richards.

The songs - loads - Nikki must've played for an hour and a half The ones I remember -
a stack of rolling bluesy numbers - a new song called Stay Bruised Stay Beautiful- the epic Crossroads , Rolling of the Hearse - Teenage Christmas , Wild horses (introduced enigmatically by Nikki- 'I spent the afternoon with one of the people this song is rumoured to have been written for' my money's on Anita P), Back to the Coast (finale - with dazzling bracelet solo) .

After the show Nikki gracious sat by the door and wished people a goodnight.