The Kitchen Garden is a well-renowned venue for its
conducive acoustics, and it accrues praise almost each time an artist sets foot
in its interior. Over the last decade, many fine nights have been enjoyed in
this suburban Birmingham venue, but from a sound perspective, few come close to
eclipsing what was heard when Angel Snow and Ida WenØe came to
town for a very special gig.
While artists and sound team are not doubt quick
to salute each other, the stars were certainly aligned this evening, whether
your ears were tuned into the vocals, electric or acoustic guitar. The sum of
these parts led to a gig that rampantly surpassed expectation and projected
both artists to a new level.
Angel Snow has had a presence in the UK for a few years and has
been previously seen in a joint touring role with both, Ben Glover and Matthew
Perryman Jones. Maybe it was seeing her for the first time in this venue
(although it was not her first show here) that proved the catalyst, but she
used her time in the spotlight majestically to cast a spell over the audience
with a bunch of beautifully crafted songs. Perhaps, it may have been the solo limelight
in the billing coupled with the placidity of the setting, which illuminated the
treasures of a precious gift, but there was a special ambience that could never
be captured by digital means.
The nature of the set up for this Angel Snow tour meant that the indie-electronica
fuelled vibes of her latest album MAGNETIC had been left at home in Nashville. This
was no challenge for an accomplished artist to strip down a group of songs that
are strong in organic appeal before any trappings are added. In the past, Angel
has had the fortune to work alongside some seriously impressive Nashville
luminaries and listening to another live version of ‘Lie Awake’ re-affirms the wise decision Alison Krauss made to cut it
for her PAPER AIRPLANE album.
Most of Angel’s set revolved around the new songs though, with ‘Vienna’, ‘Disguises’ and ‘I Need You’
rising to the top of the appreciation list. The latter proved the sole outing
for the electric guitar, which was a pity as Angel’s delicate strumming
extracted the most exalted of simple low spun sounds. The compensation was the
near perfection of the acoustic alternative, combined with a vocal skill that
allowed each song to blossom. As Angel guided the audience blissfully through
around a dozen ear-pleasing songs, a state of mesmeric fixation was not difficult
to slip into. This shed the music of Angel Snow in a new light and created anticipation
for more.
Joining Angel for this tour is the highly impressive Ida WenØe, and as far as openers are
concerned, this supporting performance was easily the highlight of any gig
year. Ida was afforded a generous extension to the normal half hour opening
slot and gloriously filled it with a fascinating display of addictive alt-folk
music from a pan European perspective. Being of Danish origin and currently a
resident of Berlin (at the moment anyway) only provides a brief narrative introduction
for an artist who possesses the most alluring of performing styles. Right from
the opening lines of her first song ‘Changing
of the Seasons’, from the current album TIME OF GHOSTS, the audience was
captivated by a performer blessed with expert playing skills, an affable
demeanour, a fine voice and a raft of delectable songs. Her self-penned tribute to
Leonard Cohen was a treat and a majority of the audience unaware previously,
had now warmed to a new artist.
From a small acorn on the gig horizon, a splendid evening of artistic superiority flowered, bloomed and blossomed. The Kitchen Garden was at its best, and so was the music of Angel Snow and Ida WenØe. If music is the voice of the soul, the live version spoke loud this evening.
www.angelsnow.net
www.idawenoe.com
