John Langford | Live Review

Newport Museum Art and Gallery | Newport | 14th June

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Langford, a country punk-rock musician and artist, played a beautiful acoustic set in the afternoon and shared insights into the memories of his hometown in Newport, Gwent. He mentioned the joyful memories of what life was like when he lived in Wales and performed ‘Pill Sailor.’ The song was from his album Skull Orchard, and it was about reminiscing about the good times he had while living in Pillgwenlly. Before singing the song, he described what inspired him to write his music and how living in Newport was the best years of his life.

He was performing alongside his cousin Mark and his friend Sally.

This Welsh singer, born and raised in Newport, has performed his own Welsh culture where he grew up in the 60s. However, he left Newport and moved to Chicago, in the US, in 1976. He has been living there for over 40 years. But misses his hometown and told me that he prefers to live in Newport. Seeing the look on his face at how he misses living in Newport, and pondering.

Langford continues to share his stories through his songs. Specifically, a time where he previously worked, which school he went to, which was Gaer Primary school and then on towards Newport High School. He is a very humble and decent man who finds his hometown to be very inspiring. I found it amusing from the joy on his face as he described them.

What was amusing was his friend Sally playing the bazooka as part of his acoustic set, and both got out of their seats and started to entertain the crowd. It got them and me laughing. But that is what his songs are about. He brought his friends and family together to cheer him on stage. Performing from the same album, with the single: ‘Tom Jones Levitation.’ He was rocking the atmosphere, playing his guitar and singing his heart out.

Langford is also a painter and is showing his painted portraits in the museum called ‘The Eyes of an Exile.’ Which is on the third floor inside the Newport Central Library. Showcasing his art pieces from June until September.

Written by: Seema Boksh

Photographer: Seema Boksh