Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or that certainly seemed to be the case at Webster Hall on Thursday night for Scottish indiepop greats Camera Obscura‘s first NYC show in 10 years, which was also the final show of the tour. A friend noted to me, and I agree, this was one of the friendliest, most attentive crowds I’ve been a part of in a long time, and everyone around me was singing along, having the best time and doing a little swooning at songs old and new.
It certainly helps that the band’s new album Look to the East, Look to the West (their first in 11 years) is fantastic, and we got six of its 11 songs on Thursday; large swaths of the audience cheered with they started “We’re Gonna Make it in a Man’s World,” “Liberty Print,” and “Big Love.” The latter they restarted due to a flubbed intro, which Tracyanne Campbell attributed to the person earlier in the evening yelling out “FUCK IT UP CAMERA OBSCURA!!!” “See, told ya,” she joked. Who says they don’t take requests?
The band were in great spirits and seemed chuffed to be wrapping up what they said had been a wonderful tour in New York City, though Campbell had some monitor/earpiece troubles. She and keyboardist Donna Maciocia sounded heavenly harmonizing together, as did guitarist Kenny McKeeve, who was just weaving understated fire all night with his instrument. Bonus points to Camera Obscura’s tour percussionist/trumpet player, who danced like a fan all night and leapt down from his riser to smash Richard Colburn’s cymbal on one song.
There were plenty of older favorites too and those got the biggest cheers, including “Let’s Get Out of This Country,” “Teenager,” and “Hey Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken,” which had the crowd singing louder than the band. And when Webster Hall turned on their giant mirrorball, it was all rather magical. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 10 years for them to come back.
Check out photos from the whole night by P Squared, including Photo Ops‘ opening set, plus the Webster Hall setlist and a few fan-shot videos below.
SETLIST: Camera Obscura @ Webster Hall 6/21/2024
Liberty Print
Denon
Let’s Get Out of This Country
Tears for Affairs
Teenager
This Is Love (Feels Alright)
Big Love
The Light Nights
Pop Goes Pop
Forests and Sands
We’re Going to Make It in a Man’s World
The Sweetest Thing
French Navy
Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken
If Looks Could Kill
Encore:
Come Back Margaret
Honey in the Sun
Razzle Dazzle Rose