Thought you might like to see this,a review of my greenbelt 09 gig by writer Andy Tate...Its up on my stu g facebook page along with other stuff about the bridge into the future...

next week: Colorado, Nashville (writing), then last d? show in the states in Dallas :( :( but don't worry I'll be back...Ha!!

Laters Stu 

Stu G, Performance Café, Greenbelt Festival, 29 August 2009

It’s a shade past 11 pm on Saturday at the Greenbelt Arts festival and I’ve just heard the missing link between Johnny Cash and Kanye West. And, somewhat confusingly, he’s an English bloke with a nicely manicured beard and impeccable manners. After a decade and half of success with Delirious – who are performing their farewell shows this autumn – Stu kicked off a new phase in his creative life with a headline solo spot at the festival’s Performance Café.
The venue – glammed-up, this year, with a chandelier and fairy lights – is crammed with expectant festival-goers who give the guitarist an affectionate, noisy welcome. The set is nicely judged: smart, intimate interpretations of Delirious songs (Rollercoaster and Investigate, rarely played live with the band, sound fresh) are set alongside some unpredictable cover choices. What’s not to like about a performer who can include Personal Jesus. Rhianna’s Umbrella and a Kanye tune in the same set? But the most revealing moment – and, for me a real highlight of this year’s festival – is a heartbreaking version of Beggar’s Prayer (originally written and recorded by Emiliana Torrini – buy it without delay). It sounds rich, bruised, melancholy and hopeful. The whole thing is delivered with a wit and the kind of vulnerable charisma that you don’t tend to see from lead guitar players of stadium rock bands when they step out alone. This debut marks the beginning of a potentially fascinating chapter: without the frame of five piece band, we get strong hints of songwriter ready to ask big questions of his audience and himself. Keep listening.

Andy Tate