Scott Kelly & Stephen Brodsky - Academy 2, 12/12/10

When you walk into the Academy 2 on this particular night, on the stage, the lone red swivel chair and the mic, though expected of course, have such a strong presence. It’s a gig that’s a little different the usual output of Scott Kelly and Stephen Brodsky, in that it’s a no frills acoustic show.

The set from Cave In’s Stephen Brodsky is splendid. His playing is slick and restful and his voice couldn’t be more complementary. He opens with two Cave In songs in 'The Calypso' and 'Come Into Your Own' and follows through with a cover of Willie Nelson’s 'Suffer In Silence'. Between songs he somewhat interrupts the serenity in the venue with some light hearted banter and quips.

Furthermore, he reveals that the new Cave In album is indeed finished and he hammers out some acoustic previews.

Scott Kelly’s performance is just sublime. There’s a strange power omitted from one man sitting alone with only an acoustic guitar and his grave croon. His solo live show is a completely different beast to that of Neurosis, of course, but there’s one element that is similar, the catharsis is otherworldly.

The tone created is a beautifully sombre one straight from the instigation of 'Remember Me'. Tracks from Kelly’s last solo effort The Wake get a good airing tonight. 'Figures' is simply foreboding but 'Catholic Blood' is one of the stunning highlights. In between them however he gives off an acoustic rendition of new Shrinebuilder number 'Let The Hell Come'.

'The Ladder In My Blood' then is harrowing but tranquil. That atmosphere however is almost lost when Kelly takes exception to a group of people chatting at the back of the venue. Taking it upon himself, he lays down an ultimatum – shut up or get out, refund and all. Surprisingly, they take the latter option.

One of the most interesting aspects of Kelly’s set though is amount of new, relatively unheard material. He has a new solo album in the works, expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. With some anecdotes and tales of their conception, he performs some of the new workings and they’re every bit as bleak but oddly comforting as everything else.

Two covers then come in the form of 'Tecumseh Valley' by folk legend Townes Van Zandt and Hawkwind’s 'Lord Of Light', the first of which is another one of the highlights of a night that was just superb and deeply honest and personal.