What better way to spend a Sunday evening that to attend a soothing neofolk show? Such is the thinking in London tonight that The Black Heart is sold out for Danish neofolk act Of the Wand and the Moon. Created in 1999 after splitting from doom metallers Saturnus, Kim Larssen's dark folk has enchanted many, and in the capital it has won over the hearts of enough to sell out a show on a Sunday night a proud achievement given England's surprising lack of thirst for concerts compared to other nations.
Opening tonight's proceedings is London-based Naevus, ordinarily an act that flits between genres on an experimental scale. Formed in 1998, tonight is a special solo set with just frontman Lloyd James and his acoustic guitar performing entirely neofolk. The venue is reasonably busy for the opener as James croons over his acoustic guitar, playing songs with a level of passion some of it aggressive in a way not too commonplace in neofolk. Despite the experimental blood that usually flows through Naevus' veins, the folk tonight is fairly ordinary with each song depicting the same properties as any other, which fails to mark the listener's attention significantly.
Next up is London's Black Light Ascension, a project of Andrew Trail from the industrial group Knifeladder.This support plays synthpop with a distinct vintage, post-punk flavour. Soundscapes are composed of dark and stylish samples and keyboard with bombing electronic beats and Trail's gothic velveteen voice. The music meanders in its exploration but does not make any unpredictable discoveries nor venture in to new territories. The audience do not appear to be too involved in the music yet the duo on stage does retain their attention without evoking much of a stage presence. The venue is almost packed to capacity and the temperature is uncomfortably high; this is quite a feat for a band with a small following and playing music incongruous to the headliner.
Beginning their set with 'Here's an Ode', Of the Wand and the Moon's thoughtful Scandinavian music immediately strikes a positive chord with the sold out venue. Emotive acoustic guitar supplements the warm voice of founder Kim Larsen.He approaches his music with a rare sincerity, allowing his songs to take centre stage rather than his persona and starting each track after the next without much stage banter.
The setlist is a strong one, displaying aural light and dark. It feels as though Larsen can play any track from his repertoire and be greeted with delight by his spectators and given the hearty applause each track collects this is probably true. Particular stand out selections include the celebratory 'Nighttime in Sonnenheim', the hopeless 'My Black Faith' and the gloomy 'Raven Night', all painstakingly digested by the audience. The Black Heart frequently mires performing bands' sound in a muddy fog but it is merciful towards Of the Wand and the Moon with each note as clear as day.
The set feels all too brief as the Danish act reaches its curtain calling song 'A Tomb of Seasoned Dye' from the most recent album 'The Lone Descent'. Beautifully and flawlessly performed, Larson and his live companion receive a final applause before humbly vacating the stage. The audience remains in case of an encore occurs but unfortunately, the wait is in vain.
Neofolk when played well can round up any weekend in the optimum way but Of the Wand and the Moon really did close it sublimely. As they are not a common act to see in the capital, those who were fortunate enough to grab a ticket in time undoubtedly enjoyed the show and would attend another concert. Those who wanted to come but were too late should certainly purchase their ticket well in advance to avoid disappointment.
FUTURE GIGS
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