David Ford showcases loop pedal mastery in intimate and enjoyable night of folk

Temperance, Leamington Spa, 6th December 2023

Walking in, the assortment of guitars, keyboards, drum pads and microphones crowding Temperance’s small stage would suggest the setup of, at the very least, a musical duo. David Ford may not be world-famous, but his authenticity, heart-wrenching lyricism and, chiefly, impressive employment of looper pedals leave you questioning how such a talented solo venture is not more popular.

The Eastbourne singer-songwriter has a catalogue stretching back to 2005, pursuing a solo career following the breakup of indie rock group Easyworld and is still releasing, including collaborations with New York artist Annie Dressner.  Such an extensive musical background does not exactly place an eighteen-year-old in the prime demographic for his gigs so it comes as no surprise the average age looks to be about forty.

 Ford’s chatty and genuine demeanour gives the gig a laid-back, pleasant atmosphere

A vegan art café by day and a music venue by night, the charmingly decorated Leamington bar Temperance invites you downstairs into an intimate basement setting for their live events: a room that seats no more than fifty. Although a modestly-sized group, Ford is beloved by his listeners – a show of hands reveals only three in the, albeit very small, room had never seen the singer live before.

Within seconds he has established a relationship with the audience, as well as the gig’s spirit, through his admission of ‘not having a plan, really’ – a divulgence that earns him requests for ‘O’Sullivan’s Jukebox’, a personal favourite, as well as ‘Train’ and ‘Panic’. During one of only a three-date tour unrelated to any album, this flexibility, coupled with Ford’s chatty and genuine demeanour gives the gig a laid-back, pleasant atmosphere.

The setlist is constructed over the course of the evening from Ford’s own choices and valiant attempts, varying in success, at the audience’s suggestions. In fact, his performance of ‘Panic’ is principally characterised by a rushed but light-hearted endeavour to spit out the erroneous lyrics offered by an audience member’s browser and keep up with an overambitious tempo the instrumentalist initially sets on the keyboard. 

Ford’s narrative capabilities render his set a must-see

Despite this hiccup, although it was warmly received, Ford demonstrates his skilfulness with the looper pedal again and again throughout the setlist. We witness each song come together in real time, eventually simultaneously hearing keyboards, tambourines, drums, guitars and vocals from just one man. His ability to devise layering for songs he confesses to not having played in years is nothing short of astounding. Observing this process alone is an experience that makes the artist worth seeing live.

Ford’s narrative capabilities render his set a must-see. He comes into his own as a storyteller in ‘Stephen’, a poignant ballad that recounts the fallout of the murder of Northern Ireland police officer Stephen Carroll from the perspective of his widow. It is in these songs that his lyrical abilities and understanding of the human psyche shine through.

His talent for the creation of moving poetics seems boundless as Ford moves onto ‘When We Were Young’, a fictional but nonetheless heartbreaking tale of the death of a teenage girlfriend from his latest solo album Love & Death. The sobering rendition, a comparably stripped-back performance of an elegantly sombre keyboard manages to reduce me to tears – and I’m not one to cry at concerts.

The absence of a predetermined setlist in such a small venue means the musician’s interactions with the audience are largely informal; an atmosphere an enthusiastic, talkative audience evidently appreciates. The songwriter comes across as a humble, cordial figure whose gifted performances almost leave you urging him to flaunt his musical abilities more. His dialogues about finding joy in sadness touch on the cathartic aspects of how songwriting allows him to reflect on arduous tours, ultimately connecting with the audience.

A unique one-man yet five-piece band, the folk songwriter succeeds in offering a jointly engaging and relaxed atmosphere

A self-deprecating songwriter of existential laments and tearful love stories, Ford makes no secret of the influence of sadness in his songwriting, which only makes his impromptu melody of famed uplifting numbers, including ‘Celebrate!’ (Kool and the Gang) and ‘Higher and Higher’ (Jackie Wilson), more entertaining to the all too familiar audience. Later, one of his few more upbeat tracks, ‘Decimate’ as well as the lively ‘The Ballad of Miss Lily’ also serve to energise the audience.

Finally, Ford concludes the show with crowd-favourite ‘State of the Union’ from his debut album I Sincerely Apologise for All the Trouble I’ve Caused. A unique one-man yet five-piece band, the folk songwriter succeeds in offering a jointly engaging and relaxed atmosphere. 

In the enchanting ambient basement setting of Temperance, David Ford’s intimate Leamington gig would leave anyone unfamiliar regretting that they have not discovered his music sooner. It is a feeling I think is best articulated by the artist himself: ‘Maybe these songs that could’ve brought you to life, weren’t allowed to come close to your ears’ (‘To Hell With the World’).

★★★★

Listen to David Ford on Spotify here: David Ford | Spotify