Beach House / Marques Toliver

You know those singers who are technically good, but no amount of vocal skill can mask just how awful and irritating they are? There's a high probability you're thinking of Celine Dion. Right now, all that comes to mind is Marques Toliver, such is the ridiculousness of his set at Shepherd's Bush Empire, supporting Beach House.

Yes, he's a good violin player. Yes, he's got a soulful voice. He is also so cringeworthy, it's difficult to know whether to laugh or cry as he pauses mid-way through each song for a cheesy monologue, before carrying on with his over-emoting and fist-clenching nonsense. As his set drags and drags, it seems as though he genuinely believes that he is channelling the spirit of Whitney Housten. He isn't. There's nothing more to say.

Fortunately, Beach House are an altogether different proposition. The duo, joined on stage by a drummer, begin as lonesome silhouettes in the darkness, with the majestic 'Wild' revealing a quite fascinating intensity that is missing from the dreamy sound of their records. Elsewhere, 'Lazuli' and 'Norway', sound stunningly beautiful, which is largely down to singer Victoria Legrand's extraordinary voice. Legrand is a singer of fascinating contradictions – whilst always maintaining a sense of androgyny, she somehow manages to sound like a child and a creepy old lady at the same time, which is of course a compliment. On record, she sounds beautiful, but live, she really is quite breathtaking.

Given that Beach House are in no way performers, it's a testament to the strength of their songs and the interplay between Legrand and guitarist Alex Scally that not only does the set not drag, but there's a sense of euphoria that continues to build throughout. With the stage bathed in red light, 'The Hours', a standout track from 2012's 'Bloom', proves to be a moment of real theatre, showcasing what a glorious live force the band have become.

The best is saved until last however, with a truly triumphant encore beginning in an understated manner with 'Real Love', which is as pretty as it's title would probably lead you to assume. It's the set closer of 'Irene' which leaves the biggest impression though, with Legrand breezily singing of "a strange paradise" over a thunderous drum beat and Scally's intricate guitar playing.

There's a sense of disappointment as Legrand hints that this may be the last Beach House headline show for quite some time. If that does prove to be true, they've gone out with a spectacular bang and have proven themselves to be every bit as wonderful live as they are on record. And then some. So when they do come back, be sure to fall under their spell once more.

FUTURE GIGS

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