Dan O’Farrell and The Difference Engine // Talking Heads // 18.5.17

Dan O’Farrell and The Difference Engine // Talking Heads // 18.5.17
Dan O’Farrell and The Difference Engine are a band combined of your mainstream instruments plus, a commanding orchestra.
Despite the smaller size of your regular orchestra, Dan O’Farrell and the Difference Engine combined with a handful of skilled musicians still made a powerful sound all night. The set kicked off with ‘Problems Inherit within Global Capitalism’. The earie opener set a melancholy tone that was soon to be smashed out the way. However, the opener involved O’Farrell talking about his fortune in the sense that, “I’ve never been homeless or lived on the street, and I’ve genuinely always had enough to eat” before he then reminds the audience of the poverty problem by stating, “There are people using food bands in my country”. The informative lyrics layered over the mood-shifting melody makes it impossible not to listen to what O’Farrell must say. In 2013, The Quietus described O’Farrell as ‘possibly the smartest Southampton songwriter’, and that was reflected in the detailed, thought-provoking lyrics present in each track. With a folky twist amongst the vocals and informative themes, this young-spirited band captivated their diverse audience.
The stand out track of the night was clearly ‘Your Facebook Feed is Not the World’. The more upbeat approach compared to some of his slower tracks gave an alternative tactic to preaching his point to the audience. The satirical twist of his upbeat slant and melancholy themes created a contradictory approach that was designed to inform and intrigue. The style is definitely a result of O’Farrell’s life as an English teacher; his career was also highlighted by his track, ‘Rosaline Wins’. Rosaline is a silent character in Romeo and Juliete and one that Romeo is firstly in love with. O’Farrell’s chorus repeats, “Rosaline wins, Rosaline wins ‘coz she’s still standing at the end, and if love wants you to die for it, then love is not your friend”. The chorus is layered over an almost medieval melody that keeps in touch with the consistent theme of the song.
With Friar Lawrence stating in Romeo and Juliete,
Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here!
Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,
So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies
Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes”,
it is clear from that moment Rosaline is no longer in Romeo’s sights, which O’Farrell sees as her winning by avoiding the death-inducing love present in what could be considered Shakespeare’s most popular play.
With a packed-out audience of warm-hearted supporters, the evening was one to be enjoyed. The evening was a sincere, friendly atmosphere with like-minded people joining through their love for Dan O’Farrell.
SETLIST
Problems Inherent Within Global Capitalism

Through A Glass Darkly
Broken By Love
Your Facebook Feed Is Not The World
Anhedonia
Nazarene Rifle Association
Couples
Light in your Darkness
Rosaline Wins
Easterly
England’s So Ugly
Haunted Houses of the Hollywood Hills
Why I Don’t Do Covers


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