CAMERA OBSCURA (London KOKO, 07/05/24)

Eighteen years ago, the first real "gig friend" I ever had (a German named Kay) introduced me to the Scottish melancholia of Camera Obscura, and my appreciation of them has but deepened over the years. The tragic and far-too-young passing of keyboardist Carey Lander meant they've been quiet for a long while, but their first London show in many years (indeed, in the same venue I first saw them in 2007) was everything I could have wanted- ace new songs, and a load of old favourites too.