This year’s been unusually quiet for Goodnight Lenin so far, with just a single support slot since 2012’s sell out Christmas show at Birmingham Cathedral.
But any fears that they’d run out of steam were rapidly dismissed during tonight’s triumphant Glastonbury warm up gig. Whilst those vocal harmonies remain in place, old favourites have now been beefed up with a slightly rockier feel serving up a much richer, fuller sound than ever before.
Even the between-song banter (always a big feature of any Goodnight Lenin gig) seemed a little fresher. Most intriguingly of all though were the new tracks. You Were Always Waiting’s late period Beatles meets CSN (Lenin go Lennon anyone?) could well be one of their best songs so far whilst other tunes span off into a more experimental direction, shades of space rock and psych colliding with the band’s more traditionally folky feel.
The big break they so richly deserve seems to remain frustratingly out of reach but who knows, with that much anticipated debut album finally nearing completion (allegedly…) and this heavier, gutsier sound, Lenin-thing’s possible now.
All photos © Wayne Fox Photography
