With two great acts out on the road for a joint headlining tour, alternating between who’s headlining which night and therefore drawing in a crowd by equal measure, openers Heg and the Wolf Chorus were potentially going to be a bit of a third wheel – however this was far from the case and with Tori Amos and Kate Bush amongst the influences of lead singer Heg, there’s very much a theatrical side to their sea-shanty folk and a welcoming start to the night.
NIZLOPI
As always the duo started their performance with a low key appearance in the middle of the crowd, the intimacy having the audience gather round in a circle to calmly watch before Nizlopi get things going properly by moving to the actual stage.
It’s impossible not to enjoy Nizlopi without a smile on your face, singer/guitarist Luke Concannon just shines happiness as he recites stories of hitchhiking up and down the country and with the double bass and beatboxing of John Parker the songs are transformed into something far more meaningful than just another acoustic singer-songwriter.
There were more tunes based around Concannon’s travels abroad meeting new people and playing his part in trying to change the world into a better place, even those who didn’t know the songs were caught up in the moment singing and clapping along, so when they took to the floor once more the few still in the bar came out to listen as Concannon dedicated a song to his Nan for another heartfelt moment.
It wasn’t the only family related part of their set, for Nizlopi of course had one more track up their sleeve and the one that if you’re not already familiar with the duo you will soon recall their UK Christmas No.1 in the father and son “JCB Song” – it’s one that sums up the storyboard writing of the pair and as we edge closer to that time of year flooded by contrived X-Factor singles and re-hashed best off compilations, restores the faith that pure and honest song writing means so much more than Simon Cowell’s money making ego.
MOULETTES
It was always going to be difficult to decide who I was looking forward to seeing the most but given Moulettes have an overall bigger sound it made sense for them to be closing the night, even though of course Nizlopi made themselves a hard act to follow.
With their folk roots being led by Hannah Miller’s cello there’s something surprisingly dark about Moulettes, at times they are upbeat and the female harmonies on “Songbird” lean towards more traditional folk tendencies, but with the psychedelic touches elsewhere you’re soon taken through a mystical journey.
On record the band have developed with the “Constellations” release being the most complex so far, however tonight we were also treated to several tracks from their upcoming concept album (due for release next year) and the first to feature newest recruit Raevennan Husbandes on guitar.
With Hannah introducing these tracks with a back story it transpires the songs are to be about numerous creatures, mainly sea based, although as the crowd participation required for “Behemoth” showed there’s still a fun element to help bring the illusive mythical ones to life.
You can also tell Husbandes is thoroughly enjoying adding a 70’s rock n roll vibe to the new material as they start to take on a prog-rock direction, but there’s far more to the Moulettes than first meets the ears for drummer Oliver Austin picks up an acoustic guitar every now and then whilst Ruth Skipper alternates between Bassoon and Auto-Harp and there are also electro beats triggered to complete the live experience…
For tonight it was just that, not just a gig but one that introduced you to a band that aren’t necessarily the folk/rock group you may come to expect, but one who mix friendly crowd interaction with more sinister undertones in their music making for a nice contrast to the cheerfulness of Nizlopi and a pairing who definitely deserve the recognition as joint headliners.
