Bhi Bhiman makes a Black Box Belfast debut
After a recent appearance on ‘Later with Jools Holland’ it seems word has spread about American songwriting talent Bhi Bhiman. He’s piqued enough interest for Open House Festival to bring him over to Belfast and early in the evening there’s already a crowd forming outside the venue.
He’s on stage shortly after half past eight, somewhat oddly attired in cream slacks and a striped jumper. It’s the sort of outfit I vaguely remember people’s dads wearing in photos from the 1980s and sits at odds with the style of music which is very much grass roots, down t earth Americana. Bhi’s a first generation Sri Lankan American and has an astounding voice and great guitar style. Previous performances have been compared to Guthrie and Dylan but there’s a much more smoother, soulful tone to the voice. It’s easier to draw comparison with the likes of the more contemporary Michael Kiwanuka.
An Open House highlight from Bhi Bhiman
It’s a confident performance, a little lacking in patter and stage presence but with heaps of passion in the songs which, I guess, is where it counts. Tracks like ‘Guttersnipe’ and ‘Kimchee Line’ from his recent eponymous album are well received as are a couple of older numbers but the unquestionable highlights of the night are his carefully chosen covers taken from the ‘Substitute Preacher’ record. We get a relaxed Americana stroll through AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’ and a little bit of Talking Heads before the fairly upbeat crowd join in with a whistling solo to Dire Straits’ ‘Walk Of Life’.
And with that, it’s all over. There’s a nod, a thank you and a goodnight. No encores. No messing around. Just straight up Americana from a stand up kind of guy.