Buffalo Tom: Lafayette, London – Dwell Evaluation

Buffalo Tom
Lafayette, London
Monday thirtieth September 2024

Boston’s literate, lachrymose legends return to English shores for the primary time in six years. Sam Lambeth opinions. 

In a single nook of the Lafayette venue, two ageing males commerce struggle tales over beers. As one ruefully discusses pals who’ve turn out to be empty nesters, the opposite pontificates on the practicalities and logistics of putting in a Stannah stairlift into his mother’s bungalow. The yr 2003 is talked about with a breeziness that implies, to them, it was solely a few years in the past. These conversations will not be distinctive to this duo, nevertheless – for tonight in King’s Cross, the room is replete with these sorts of males. Wise males. Sensible males. Bearded males. Plans for a Saturday park run are already afoot. Some proudly exhibit a lumberjack shirt however, with middle-aged precision, have a useful raincoat stowed away for the harsher autumnal climes. 

Two of those males stare agape once they spot a human lady within the crowd (there are just a few right here tonight, however not very many). Equally, younger persons are splattered sporadically within the crowd, principally as accomplices to a lot older, balder cohorts. So, to summarise, it’s both a Fathers 4 Justice assembly or a Buffalo Tom gig.

And earlier than you accuse this author of stereotyping, relaxation assured the Boston band themselves are very a lot conscious of their clique. The truth is, they experience it. When lead singer and guitarist Invoice Janovitz asks the gang to do some mid-song clapping, he caveats it with a wry remark that everyone’s shoulders will probably be painful within the morning. The trio cheer when two attendees proudly announce that they’ve retired (“I assumed you simply mentioned you had been drained,” deadpans bassist Chris Colbourn). Janovitz himself sighs that he’s removed from peak situation, regardless of trying just about unchanged since 1992.

For all of their self-deprecating remarks, nevertheless, there actually is a good looking consolation in the truth that Buffalo Tom proceed to courtroom such a loyal, fervent fanbase. It’s a simpatico that has solely strengthened with age – they’ve grown with the band, the alt-rock stalwarts’ intermittent releases punctuating births, deaths, graduations and every little thing in between. And never solely do the London crowd cherish the classics, they’re additionally down with the brand new materials, taking up vocal duties for the uneven strut of latest single Helmet. 

Their tenth studio album Leap Rope, launched in Could this yr, is one other sturdy addition to their constant again catalogue. Whereas it carries a extra acoustic flavour on report, Autumn Letter and the Colbourn-led Recipes have a tougher, extra scuffed edge when carried out stay. Each steeped within the bruising melancholia that has served the Bostonians so effectively, their hard-won wistfulness makes them nestle completely alongside the twinkling Late at Night time and nostalgic thrum of Summer time. 

The trio are predictably tight and efforts to derail this are met with shocking outcomes. A faulty drum equipment leads to a freewheeling Janovitz nearly colliding with an on-rushing roadie, whereas a Colbourn-instigated setlist change causes gleeful confusion and an interminable guitar tune (“how are you all doing within the critics’ part?” Janovitz chides, tongue in cheek, when a small portion of followers start to whine). 

After all, it’s all in good jest and solely provides to the naturality and basic bonhomie that Colbourn, Janovitz and drummer Tom Magennis share for each other. The latter stays a strong anchor, his scattered and idiosyncratic drum work propelling the pounding opener Staples and a very rousing Dry Land. 

Janovitz revels in his function because the group’s de facto frontman and sole guitarist, and musters up spectacular chops on the reflective rocker All Be Gone and stomping Tree Home. These aware of Buffalo Tom’s again catalogue, nevertheless, will know that what really units the group other than their contemporaries is their considerate, mature songwriting. You’ll By no means Catch Him is a late-career spotlight, a brooding meditation buoyed by Colbourn’s on-point harmonies. Frozen Lake and Crutch are elegiac, melodic vignettes. Larry, allegedly written about Janovitz’s cat, is tender and tuneful earlier than hovering majestically into a stunning interpolation of Van Morrison’s traditional Into the Mystic. 

Taillights Fade and I’m Allowed are two of the band’s most recognisable songs, contemplative however jagged, and all elevated by Janovitz’ wealthy, weathered howl. As they as soon as once more say their goodbyes to London – and there’s at all times that heart-stopping feeling that this may simply be the final time we see these affable Individuals – the forest of flannel that cheers their departure stay as captivated as they did again in these halcyon days of MTV and no dynamic pricing. Some chant “yet another music” and who can blame them – it’s not like lots of this crowd have work within the morning now, is it?

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All phrases and photograph by Sam Lambeth. Sam is a journalist and musician. Extra of his work for Louder Than Conflict is out there on his archive. Yow will discover his music on Spotify.