I don't see a thread for Villagers yet so here's one in honour of the lovely Irish lads who have been treating us to some amazing music on the current Elbow tour.

I wasn't really aware of them until this tour. I did recognise Becoming A Jackal when they played it, though if I hadn't known otherwise I would have sworn it was Bowerbirds - the verses in particular are distinctly Bowerbirds-y.

I've listened to the album in full since then and loving it more and more with each listen. Also helped by the fact that I (very luckily after MEN) know first hand what charming and friendly guys Conor and the gang are.

Definitely one of the bands I am aching to see achieve the success they clearly deserve!

I've just ordered the CD from Amazon - I'm sure it'll be brilliant.

It is a fantastic album, I was delighted when I found out they were supporting, it was one of my favourite albums last year without question

MrsW and I were very fortunate to catch Villagers last October, when they played a small, intimate gig in Lancaster Library, of all places. And by library, I mean IN the library itself - bookshelves cleared out of the way to create a stage and auditorium.

We were so close to the band, you could have reached out and touched Conor's face (though it's probably best not to do this as it tends to creep performers out).

IMHO, 'Becoming A Jackal' should have won the Mercury last year. I don't like making predictions, but the quality of Conor O'Brien's songs suggests to me he is going to be around a long time.

Fully agree mrwoman
We saw them at Academy 3 last November and they were excellent. Bigger than Lancaster Library but still only a few hundred in there and everyone was in awe of Conor's stage presence.

So who's coming with me to see them in Shepherds Bush on 21st May?

EDIT: Oops, I went on a bit of a Villagers spree. Just got tickets for Shepherds Bush, and also the Eden Sessions on 1st July with Fleet Foxes. It's gonna be ace!

I thought they sounded amazing at Nottingham. The clarity of the lead singer's voice really good. They did a live lounge a few weeks ago with Jo Wiley which is worth a listen on the BBC iplayer.

Villagers are nice. I'm glad there's a thread for them now.

I saw Conor play at Hop farm last summer so was looking forward to him and Villagers as support.
i've put some of the clips i tookof them at 02 on my youtube page.










going to upload a bit of 'Home' too.

Ahh, envy!!

I think I'm too late to the game for the really small venues which is a real shame.

It was quite a coup even then for the Lancashire scheme who booked them well before the Mercury noms, "Get It Loud In Libraries". It's a great way to get younger people in and show 'em it's not all Mills & Boon and easy listening CDs.

The Eden gig sounds excellent though; FLEET FOXES!

Yeah, hoping it'll be good. I've been to the Eden Project before but not seen any gigs there - it looks massive!

Wow, that is some photo! Gorgeous.

Same here, visited through the day but never for a gig. It looks like it might give the same sort of atmosphere you get at Delamere for the Forestry Commission ones.