It's been a while since Pete Du Pon last graced the stage of PAS, that rickety and carpeted dais of excellence. This time with a second guitarist and double-bassist, Pete didn't disappoint. His oft-melancholic style was given a jazzy twist by his accompanying musicians, with an ethereal slide guitar wailing above that indubitable sound of a double bass in Pete's slow melodies. Pete's songs have a kind of downtrodden beauty, expressed so engagingly by a bewitching voice. Take "Long Way Home", for example. It wouldn't be out of place in that part of a romantic drama (or Scrubs) where the protagonist lovers are apart, both looking vacantly at the floor in their respective bus depot and airport as they wait to be taken further away from each other. No doubt it's night time and they're being rained on. I'm not sure how that works when they're both inside buildings, but there you go.

Pete was supported by Dom Hammmond, who usually performs with a horn player. It wasn't to be this time, unfortunately, although it did allow us to hear his acoustic cover of "Billie Jean", which was really nice to hear in such a radically different setting. A pleasant, light style and a nice voice.

Dave Knight


The Platform is part of the Portobello Acoustic Sessions, and is held every Wednesday night from 7:30 at The Metropolitan bar, Westbourne Park.