L.A. Salami – The Albert Hall, Manchester.

For approximately 15 minutes, before Agnes Obel took to the stage, L.A. Salami blessed the grand Albert Hall of Manchester.

Equipped with nothing more than a guitar and harmonica, the stylish wanderer appeared onstage with little introduction, then serenaded a 3-song illustration of minor keys and a humbling colloquialism that sets your voyage in the same boat as his.

His first song ‘Day to Day’ – He stood, centre stage with a spotlight that hit his left side, framing his picturesque silhouette on the old brick walls that integrate the stain glass window frames upon his starboard. This, with his winding lyrical structures, his lulling tones that graced the spaced acoustics of the Albert Hall was goosebump inducing. An act that deserves to deter your entire consciousness to absorb his essence. If anything less than devotion is granted to this performance, expect little as the magic will be lost on you.

The problem with a folk act such as L.A. Salami is that the melody alone will not entice your ears like the manufactured radio-friendly unit shifters that soundtrack your daily commute. When Salami comes knocking, everything he delivers should be signed for. By the third song, a horde of newcomers who had turned up late with the sole interest of seeing the headlining act, stormed in. Yet with no reeling melody to draw them in, their first thoughts upon entry naturally concern getting the drinks in – this entails chatter. And shattered – The lyrics lost amongst the transactions. His poetry – buried under the pollution of small talk that stole the once mesmerising spotlight. And just like that, the music finished. L.A. Salami unplugged his guitar, and without thanks or gesture – gone.

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