Steven S. Drachman’s Virtual Concert Review: Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift during the Coronavirus

Well, the coronavirus is no laughing matter, but there are moments of fun.

Back in November, this esteemed magazine published my review of a Robyn Hitchcock / Emma Swift concert in Brooklyn, and I was pleased to find the old 1980s warhorse and his young sweetheart in terrific form. A few days ago I bought tickets to a virtual concert by the pair, and tonight my cooped-up family gathered around the kitchen table and watched this decidedly low-tech event on my computer.

The two musicians/love birds sat on their couch, Swift sang a sad and beautiful new song, planned for an album postponed due to the coronavirus, and Hitchcock sang some of his oldies, which took on a new resonance during today’s crisis. “One Long Pair of Eyes,” for example, which contains this line: “Doctor, Doctor, I’m on fire!” / “Oh, I’m sad to hear that, squire /We’re closing.” The musicians admitted that they’ve both had a lot of practice writing songs about the apocalypse.

Halfway through the concert, Swift got up to make some tea, and Hitchcock asked her to bring him some. Their cat, Tubby, an invisible but amusing presence at their live shows, made an actual appearance. Comments by viewers scrolled up the screen. The transmission was not without its glitches. All of this was charming, even the bad technology.

Another thing: they’re cooped up like everyone else, and they lasted an entire hour without snapping at each other once. All America should know their secret.

^^^

Steven S. Drachman is the author of the Watt O’Hugh historical fantasy trilogy. The final book, Watt O’Hugh and the Innocent Dead, is available in trade paperback from your favorite local independent bookstore, from Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and on Kindle.