Having teased the fact that his last record might just be his last, BC Camplight returned this year as relevant and vital as ever. His seventh album, ‘A Sober Conversation’ is imbued with the personal anecdotes we have become accustomed to, especially over the last four albums since the band’s main man and the BC of BC Camplight- Brian Christinzio – based himself in the UK. As his success grows, he now finds himself on the biggest tour of his career so far. 

‘The Tent’ starts off the set and is the perfect set opener for the band’s sound and Christinzio’s storytelling; providing an introspective dream/nightmare of a childhood memory which develops into a song that has so much emotional dynamacy that you worry the rest of the set won’t quite match it’s encompassing gut wrenching weight. This is followed by ‘I’m Desperate’ – often a set closer in the BC setlists but producing a sudden impactful urgency, Christinzio holding his piano stool aloft, saluting the audience. In fact, there’s a distinct, confident swagger woven through much of the sngs. This is an artist who seems to genuinely enjoy the stage, though of course, he has publicly struggled with his demons. He is candid when interacting with his fans – open, good-natured, and possessing a warmth that resonates throughout the room. Despite dealing with themes of addiction, deportation and mental health, the gig never feels emotionally heavy or depressing; rather, it is full of a collective warmth, feeling more like a cathartic group hug. As if right on cue, a confident, loosely arranged ‘I Only Drink When I’m Drunk’ woozily charms; Christinzio standing up at the piano to serenade the appreciative crowd. 

The pop sensibilities of ‘Kicking Up A Fuss’ and ‘Where you Taking My Baby’ segway smoothly, yet distinctly, into a darker, more brooding section, where the tempo drops and the instrumentation becomes moodier. Perhaps one song too many in this style, but it does include the absolutely gorgeous and emotionally stark solo rendition of ‘I want to be in the mafia’. With just Christinizio at the piano his playing and voice are brought to the fore. 

The band return and Christinzio is happy to celebrate his backing band who provide the twists and turns which make the BC Camplight sound so beguiling and interesting. The jagged guitar line in ‘Last Rotation’ or the sax drone in ‘Life in a Dozen Years’ provide little nuggets of sonic innovation. The marriage of experimentation and pop stylings are notable in a soaring version of ‘She’s Gone Cold’. Christinzio informs us it’s “My power ballad” and he’s not wrong, tonight’s version has all the sentiment, synths and 80s sheen you could want in one. Later in the set it’s also a delight to hear ‘Blood and Peanut Butter’ a track from BC Camplight’s debut album and rarely played. An oldie but a goldie.  

They finish with the 1-2 encore of ‘The Last Rotation of Earth’ and ‘A Sober Conversation’ two songs which reinforce Christinzio’s honesty and ability to wrap profoundly painful experiences in brilliant, shimmering pop hooks. The latter in particular with it’s lyrical tales namechecking John Cleese and David Bowie before punching the gut with it’s despairing line “Boys like me feel it all’ provides the BC Camplight live experience in one. A performance that is both cathartic and incredibly fun, BC Camplight delivers the perfect synthesis of musical theatre, self-aware comedy, and genuine rock and roll energy. His ascent continues, not just as a songwriter, but as a compelling, must-see live performer.