Goin’ back to their rock and roll roots

2:33pm Thursday 2nd October 2008

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Travis, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Tuesday September 30

Totally down to earth sums up the Travis approach to rock and roll.

Despite a celebrity marriage amongst them – bassist Dougie tied the knot with Trainspotting actress Kelly Macdonald in 2003 – these Scottish lads have never courted publicity or resorted to slating other musicians, preferring instead to let the music speak for itself.

It’s been 11 years since the Glasgow quartet released their debut album Good Feeling and with their latest release Ode to J.Smith they appear to have come full circle.

With this their sixth studio album they have gone back to their roots with a rockier sound reminiscent of the ever-catchy All I Want To Do Is Rock and their debut’s title track Good Feeling.

Loyal fans who packed the Wulfrun Hall certainly seemed to appreciate the new material during Tuesday night’s sell-out show. Presumably only a handful had heard the album, released the day before the gig, but that didn’t dampen their enthusiasm.

This intimate venue was the perfect place to see Fran Healy and co let their hair down.

The lads were the most relaxed I’ve seen them as they gave new songs including Long Way Down, Something Anything and J.Smith an airing.

Despite being a little longer in the tooth their energy didn’t wane as they rattled through such classics as Turn, Side, Sing, Closer and Coming Around during the one hour and 45 minutes set.

They brought the tempo down with Driftwood, Writing to Reach You and a beautiful acoustic version of Flowers in the Window after a brave fan’s on-stage marriage proposal to his stunned girlfriend. How could she refuse when her favourite band were eagerly awaiting her positive response?

Another highlight, left until the encore, was their two-man version of Katy Perry’s I Kissed A Girl which shouldn’t have worked but went down a storm despite Fran momentarily forgetting the words.

The inevitable but always enjoyable finale of Why Does It Always Rain On Me was accompanied by a pogo-ing world record attempt. Told you they don’t take themselves too seriously...