Ten Reasons To Go See Emma Pollock & RM Hubbert (In Wakefield)

Rhubarb Bomb is incredibly proud to welcome Emma Pollock and RM Hubbert to Wakefield for their joint UK Tour. They will play at The Hop on September 11^th. You can get tickets from TicketWeb, Jumbo Records, Crash Records, or The Hop in person. If you are undecided, let me give you ten reasons why you should come along.

One

Emma Pollock is the co-creator of Chemikal Underground, Rhubarb Bomb’s favourite record label in the world. So not only is she extremely talented, she also has excellent taste. They released the first records by Arab Strap, Mogwai, Interpol, Aereogramme, The Unwinding Hours, Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat, Malcolm Middleton and, of course, The Delgados and are going stronger than ever after nearly twenty years. WOW.

Two

Forever keen to offer value for money in the Merrie City, the Wakefield date of their UK tour (and the only in West Yorkshire) is the cheapest at a mere £8. Why do we insist on this insane policy of putting Wakefield music lovers before our own meagre finances? Because this is a gig you HAVE to see, and we don’t want any excuses.

Three

RM Hubbert is one of the most mesmerizing and unique live artists we’ve seen in a very long time. If you thought you’d seen everything a guy and a guitar had to offer – like I did – then you couldn’t be more wrong. Technically marvellous but not even slightly showy or overblown, he is a master of subtlety, minimalistic suggestion but hugely emotional. And that’s before he even takes to the mic. Very special indeed.

Four

Emma Pollock visited Wakefield for the first time in 2011 (see above) to play Long Division Festival and the gig she played was absolutely rammed. I didn’t even get to see the show myself and it was my festival! But from what I could hear around the door frame and from all the reports that came back, it was exceptional. Her return will be equally impressive (and I’m saving myself a spot this time).

Five

Emma and Hubby will be releasing a limited edition EP available exclusively on this tour. It will feature three new or previously unreleased tracks from each of them.

Six

If you are still not quite believing us in the absolute qualities of Mr RM Hubbert then perhaps the news that his recent album First and Last featured contributions from a plethora of widely acclaimed artists such as Aidan Moffat, Alasdair Roberts and Alex Kapranos will persuade you? And if not, perhaps the fact that he has supported Aidan Moffat, Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor will? Come on, what more do you want?!

Seven

Support for the Wakefield show comes from the city’s own St Gregory Orange who have just released their outstanding second album on Philophobia Music. Getting rapturous reviews and 4/5 scorings across the board it is truly one of the best albums we’ve heard in a very long time. And, of course, the last time they played for Rhubarb Bomb was at our fifth birthday celebration, by candle light under a railway arch. In similar fashion, in support of Emma and Hubby they will be leaving the Mac at home and stripping things back to pure acoustics.

Eight

Emma Pollock is responsible for creating some of the best albums ever. Ever? Yes, ever. She was a member of The Delgados. Or: Peel Favourites, The Delgados. Or: Mercury Prize Nominees, The Delgados. Or: just go listen to the albums. Some of the best serious guitar pop records ever made, with a beautiful sense of drama and space and longing, came from the band before their split. Since then Emma Pollock has released two solo albums. The first Watch The Fireworks was a continuation of the guitar pop of Delgados but here most recent The Law Of Large Numbers really established her as an artist in her own right.

Nine

The Hop is a great place for this gig. Intimate, with a great sound up on the stage. Properly nice beer. Rare tours from widely acclaimed cult artists; those are the kinds of things that usually end up in Leeds. But this one is here in Wakefield. So, if you live in Wakefield; easy. If you’ve never ventured over before; give us a chance and have a lovely evening with Rhubarb Bomb, Emma Pollock and RM Hubbert.

Ten

One final reason: this tour will give them a chance to play their duet Half Light from RM Hubbert's recent album. Follow this link to a news story about the tour. Scroll on down and there is a wee music player. Take a listen and enjoy. See you at the gig.