CityLife

A great gig in beautiful surroundings - contrast the helpful, unobtrusive staff at the RNCM with that of certain other local venues - Ms Hannigan perhaps demonstrated why her relationship with Damien Rice proved problematic in the end. Rice is an excellent performer and obviously found it difficult to rein in the huge talent onstage with him - Lisa has really come into her own with quirky, original material, a slick, understated band and a comfortable presence that made 75 minutes fly by. I would perhaps quibble with her choice of The Lady Is A Tramp (horrible memories of my father's Dansette record player) - though she did make it her own.<br /> <br /> Her delicacy may at times have been overwhelmed by the band, especially in the rousing finale, Free Until They Cut Me Down, but she seemed to enjoy losing herslef in the sound.<br /> <br /> She seemed to enjoy the whole experience in fact and promised to return to the city - I hope she's as good as her word.<br /> <br /> Solo support Jape was intriguing but possibly the shortest set I have ever seen - a little more would have been welcome.<br />