Duffy, ready-steady-go!
From the moments before Duffy walked onto a darkened stage and into a solitary spotlight for her first song, the crowd went wild for the Welsh singer's first appearance here in Philadelphia. Singing songs from her debut world-wide bestseller "Rockferry" the Bardot-styled songwriter came across as simply charming with a strong but soft-spoken persona on stage. Yelling out "Philadelphia, I love you! Philadelphi-aaaa!" throughout the evening to crowd erupting cheers didn't hurt, either. Her hour-long plus set was held together tightly by a solid backing band including regulars Jon Green (guitar), Ben Epstein (bass), Tobi (guitar) and Ayo Oyerinde (keyboards), and Tom Meadows (drums) who each played parts on her album "Rockferry" and included an extra percussionist. Missing from the mix, of course, were David McAlmont and Duffy's Rough Trade label producer (and ex-Suede guitarist and solo artist) Bernard Butler. Although Duffy gains criticism and praise in fairly equal amounts, we definitely found her performance praise-worthy in this case, not wanting to take our eyes off the stage for a moment. Her encore "Warwick Avenue", the rhythm a clever wink and nod to The Temptations' "My Girl", was a fitting closer to end the night. It's fairly easy to pinpoint her references to past musicians whether it be soul or classic 60s ranging from early singers such as Petula, to Aretha and Dusty, but to be able to pull it off and walk-the-talk (while swinging a microphone as she does so, mind you) is a tremendous achievement for anyone and Duffy is a class performer with a style both grateful, and graceful, that--true to her reviews; remains uncommonly, and wonderfully, her own.
Duffy Set List:
- Syrup & Honey
- Rockferry
- Hanging On Too Long
- Serious
- Breaking My Own Heart (non-album)
- Cry To Me (Solomon Burke cover)
- Delayed Devotion
- Stepping Stone
- Oh Boy (early acoustic demo)
- Tomorrow (B-side to "Mercy")
- Mercy
Encore: Warwick Avenue
Click here to view Girl About Town's Duffy and Eli "Paperboy" Reed photo gallery.
Bummed I had to miss this, I had band practice until way too late to make there. Looks like it was fun.
Posted by: -tom | August 09, 2008 at 08:44 AM
The set list is not complete. She did all the songs from her album, and ended with Distant Dreamer.
I was at the show, and right up against the stage. She put on an awesome show, even if she is quite the 'ham' for the cameras. I am glad that I went, cause I know i'll never get that close again. She is gonna be huge. (i'm the guy that handed her flowers.)
Posted by: Patrick | August 18, 2008 at 02:25 AM
Actual Setlist was:
Syrup & Honey
Rockferry
Hanging on Too Long
Serious
Breaking My Own Heart
Warwich Avenue
Cry To Me
Delayed Devotion
Stepping Stone
Oh Boy
Tomorrow
Mercy
ENCORE:
Scared
Distant Dreamer
Regards, Howard
Posted by: Howard | November 25, 2009 at 11:35 AM
P.S. They just released a LIve EP from this gig. http://aimeeduffy.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-duffy-ep.html
Please note you also got the date wrong - it was the 6th not the 9th.
Posted by: Howard | November 25, 2009 at 11:40 AM