Justin Bond's 'Rites Of Spring'

Justin Bond performed his 'Rites Of Spring' ('More Songs for the Neo-Pagan Revolution') at the Purcell Room on the Southbank for the second night last night so we had to go.

His band was led by Our Lady J on piano and conducting duties (resplendent in red with sparkly gloves) along with cello, flute and drums. I've seen Justin a few times over the years and this was the most 'formal' venue yet, a 'proper' concert venue. He was dressed appropriately for the occasion in a frock made of "laminated tranny-porn" in the first half and a black sparkly, fringed cocktail number for the second half, the halves nicely split by Our Lady J singing 'Pink Prada Purse'.

Justin opened with 'The New Depression' (from his 'Pink Slip' EP) and regaled us with tales of his trip to the 'fairy sanctuary' in the Appalachian Mountains to perform the pagan rites of spring last May, writing the chants and spells that led to the current recession and the erection of a new maypole. As witches, both Justin and Our Lady have a lot to answer for.

The show was off and running, with songs and chat, the most unlikely stories about the people he knows and the situations he finds himself in. I've no idea how much is true and how much is exaggerated, but it certainly adds up to an interesting life. He sang all the songs from 'Pink Slip' and host of others plus a great song he introduced as being from the American songbook, 'Viking Dan' by Bambi Lake (he's done it before but I'm always happy to hear him sing a Bambi song). He also sang a Christmas song protesting against proposition 8 he wrote and performed at a benefit show organised by Rufus Wainwright last year at Carnegie Hall. His three song encore finished with 'The End', his song at the end of 'Shortbus' in the scene with him singing through a megaphone with a brass band.

A mix of song and laughter, madly meandering surreal chatter, politics and social commentary (blink and he's moved on), odd frocks and sparkling wit, it's all there in Justin's shows. We hung around afterwards to get a signed copy of the EP and to say a few words and I was pleased to hear that he might write and record a full length album over the summer. I hope he does but who knows? Go and see a Justin show if you get the chance, you'll leave with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.