The Pineapple Thief – Bristol - November 2021

 

The Pineapple Thief – Bristol - November 2021

by Pete Clemons

Defining the success of bands like The Pineapple Thief is rather like pulling the leaves off a daisy. Are they, are they not?. However, in my mind, there seems little doubt, after having seen them on stage and listened to their albums, any success has something to do with their apparent vulnerability.

The Pineapple Thief are possibly the first of the current great un-super groups who have based their appeal on being of the people as opposed to coming on strong in time honoured tradition. In this delightful venue, there were no visuals of any kind, no fanfares even. The band simply amble on stage and pulled off the seemingly impossible by their sheer musical enthusiasm.

In support of the latest studio album, 'Versions of the Truth', and accompanying live album, 'Nothing But the Truth', recorded in a freezing cold studio in Bedford, at the height of the pandemic, and under the strictest of Covid conditions, The Pineapple Thief set the house ablaze.

During October 2021 The Pineapple Thief became one of the first bands from the UK, if not thee first, to tour in Europe again. They began their tour with gigs in Manchester and Glasgow and, after successfully crossing the border, they arrived in The Netherlands for a performance in Amsterdam. From their they made their way around Germany, Poland, France, Hungary and Belgium without a hitch.

That said, the build up to this tour was not without its obvious problems. Against a backdrop of Brexit and the pandemic The Pineapple Thief had the difficult task of negotiating this tour of Europe. Yes, they had done it before. But this time it must have felt a little like a journey into the unknown. Like countless others dates had been postponed by around 18-24 months and appeared to be beset by rescheduling issues. But, despite the hurdles, it happened.

Back to the gig, which was seen as something as a homecoming, The Pineapple Thief were immense. Within their armoury, the sound comprised of balanced and rounded harmonies, continuous complex drumming and textural, atmospheric keyboard playing. In fact the whole rhythm section is exceptional. The like you have rarely heard before. Principle song writer and lead vocalist Bruce Soord appeared to exude a new confidence. Additionally Bruce doesn't leave all the soloing glory to the impressive Beren Matthews on lead guitarist. Check out 'Our Mire' for an example of Bruce's own capabilities. Hearing that particular song live, along with the many others new and established, this whole gig was taken to a different level.

No doubt Bruce had more than a degree of satisfaction after the completion of this tour. Albeit maybe tinged with a little sadness that it was all over. Happy to be home but the kind of sadness you feel after a really good holiday. There is more to come however. The second stage of this European excursion continues during February 2022. And this is followed by a tour of America.

Hope is like flying. You cant see what keeps you going, but you know it is there. That said I am confident U.S. audiences will turn up in their numbers. Well at least I hope they will.

As a fan of a band whose music genuinely moves you, and who you remember playing in pubs to a handful of people, you just can't help but feel some pride at the moments like this. And this gig certainly felt like a moment for The Pineapple Thief.