The burgeoning association of the term “DIY” with artists reflects the escalating challenges posed by soaring costs, reliance on streaming services, and the imperative for continuous touring. Seth Lakeman exemplified a steadfast commitment to this ethos when embarking on the recording journey of his sophomore LP, Kitty Jay, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary—a milestone marked by an extensive ten-date tour.
Seth recorded this groundbreaking album in his kitchen with his brother Sean, a testament to his dedication, and produced it for a modest sum of under £300. The result? Kitty Jay earned the esteemed nomination for the 2005 Mercury Prize.
This commemorative show unfolded in two captivating sets. The initial act featured a chronological rendition of Kitty Jay in its entirety, followed by the second half, where Seth skillfully curated a cross-section of his illustrious career spanning over two decades. The Union Chapel reverberated with excitement, not solely due to the acclaim of Kitty Jay as a record but also because four out of the five members of Seth’s live band were integral to the album’s original recording sessions.
The Kitty Jay set commenced chronologically with the poignant “John Lomas.” Traditional folk arrangements seamlessly synchronized with the Union Chapel’s acoustics, a testament to Lakeman’s musical finesse. Choosing the electric guitar over its acoustic counterpart for songs like “The Bold Knight” proved a wise decision, enhancing the beauty and power of the compositions. Seth injected a personal touch by providing brief contextual narratives, such as the immigration theme in “Fight for Favour” and the lament for a lost captain and crew in “Farewell My Love.”
While Seth is primarily associated with the violin, its dominant role emerged later in the original Kitty Jay album playlist, underscoring his musicality and the synergy of the band. An extended, audience-participation version of “The Streamers” united Seth, his band, and the audience in an up-tempo spectacle. Closing the Kitty Jay set with an extended rendition of “Kitty Jay” itself, the fourth track on the album, defied expectations, transforming what Seth initially described as a “dark depressive album” into a source of unexpected happiness.
The second set showcased Seth’s versatility and ambition. Beyond revisiting Kitty Jay, he delved into a selection of his most resonant non-Kitty Jay songs, including highlights like “Scrumpy’s Set” from his debut LP, The Punch Bowl, and five tracks from the recent studio album, Make Your Mark. While paying due homage to the well-received Freedom Fields material, Seth tactfully avoided its domination, considering the album’s 15th-anniversary tour in 2021. A notable gem emerged in “The Rambling Sailor” from Sea Song Sessions, a collaborative album featuring Jon Boden, Ben Nicholls, Emily Portman, and Jack Rutter.
Beyond the celebratory and joyous anniversaries, Seth paid poignant tribute to the enduring hardship of the Gresford disaster, an event that unfolded 90 years ago, through the evocative “The Colliers.” Notably, what set the Union Chapel show apart wasn’t a mere journey down memory lane but the innovative presentation of familiar ideas and finished products in a new light. Seth achieved this with nuanced tweaks, including the electric guitar and harpsichord, tempo variations, and extended jigs.
This transformative approach made it feel like all of Seth’s material, not just Kitty Jay, was being experienced for the first time, captivating audiences with open minds and curiosity. Furthermore, Seth accomplished all this without deviating from a traditional folk template, upholding a steadfast DIY work ethic throughout.
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