Ezra Furman is fancy free at Reading Festival

An artist unlike any other, Ezra Furman brings his jazzed up rock and roll swagger to the masses with a winning grin. "I could just say whatever I want," he laughs between songs. Threatening to talk for the whole of his stage time is met only with whoops and cheers, so with his threat invalidated, the music marches on. Beaming from ear to ear through a rousing rendition of ‘Little Piece Of Trash,’ the whole band are in their element – and their delight is nothing short of contagious. Releasing an EP of songs that were in part already live favourites, each song is greeted like an old friend even though they’ve only been out a month. In essence, that’s what all of Ezra Furman’s songs are – airing his insecurities with pride, his music offers an unparalleled sense of affirmation for any who seek it. Lost in the moment during ‘Walk On In Darkness’, he tears off his flower broche and throws it at the crowd – only for it to fall ridiculously short and land in the empty space between the barrier and the stage. "Listen, front row, you've got to give me some space,” Ezra mockingly scolds once the song ends. “You make me feel uncomfortable how close you are." Through songs about alienation and dedications to “unpopular people and people who get hurt,” Ezra Furman is a rallying voice for anyone who’s ever felt out of place. Leave your worries by the wayside, this is a performance for being let loose and fancy free.