Richmond Fontaine
Brighton Pressure Point
6th February, 2007

This was the last date of a gruelling European tour and the valedictory vibe was obvious, as the band played for well over two hours. In contrast to their unfair reputation as miserablists, they know how to have fun, and when Paul Brainard’s joyous trumpet blasts out the riff from Moving Back Home #2, something akin to a moshpit develops. Most fans are here to worship at the feet of the extraordinarily gifted (and refreshingly humble) Willy Vlautin. Virtually everyone seems to be sporting a signed copy of his Motel Life novel. Vlautin and his compadres respond by playing almost all of Thirteen Cities, standouts being the addictive Capsized and melodic Four Walls. Ear-to-ear grins show that this band has taken the UK to its heart and the feeling is mutual.