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Jarvis Cocker at the Village Underground, making an exhibition of himself...again!

9-11 November 2009

Some of the Brit Pop boys have grown up. Damon and Jarvis? Check. Liam and Noel…well maybe I’ll leave that for you, the discerning reader to decide. Whilst Mr Albarn has been getting all creative with the Gorillaz, Jarvis has returned to his roots, following a period of semi-retirement Paris. But we were not deprived Jarvis Cocker’s unique wit and bookish charm, as he slowly moved back into the limelight, releasing his debut solo album ‘Jarvis’ at the end of 2006.

2009 has seen him partake in a series of eclectic residencies across London and Europe- the inaugural event took place earlier this year, at the Galerie Chappe in Paris- and this week Jarvis and his merry band of musicians are putting in an appearance at the Village Underground. 

Refreshingly unpretentious this is a relaxed and laid-back affair, with the audience sprawled out on the floor, across giant big-bags, watching Jarvis shuffle around the stage, devouring on Monster Munch (who said rock n’ roll was dead?). The show in Paris was accompanied by a self-penned manifesto, asking ‘what is music?’ questioning the role of music in a post-capitalist society, or if it’s just something you ‘get for free when you buy a mobile phone’.

Through the creation of a free event that it is open to everyone and anyone, that you are free to drop in and out of, Jarvis has removed the barriers that sometimes accompany live sessions like this. As a non-musician, with limited (and often mentioned!) appreciation of the art, I am often dissuaded from attending more improv-jam pieces, but this was so relaxed I didn’t feel out of place!

Events (tomorrow) include a burlesque dance workshop, strange instrument hour, circus acts, and will culminate in a concert…tickets still available here. But if you can’t make it down, fear not, as the whole event will be streamed live here.

Posted by Vicki Loomes