Venue:
The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm
Date: 20/11/2024
The singing-relationship between Eric D. Johnson and Anais Mitchell is something special. They are both on the half-turn, watching each other’s mouths to ensure that the phrasing of the harmony is pin-perfect. Both are constantly on the move, stepping back from the mics in between lines, Johnson all long hair, flapping shirt and dancing feet while Mitchell moves and dances like the music is an electrical feed directly into her body. She feels the music like no one else I know.
By just the third song, we’re already at The Roving, the song which hooked me and many others when it was on a Mojo cover-CD in 2019, and Anais Mitchell comes into her own, doing that thing she does, standing on one precarious stiletto while her left leg is cocked behind her, like some blonde flamingo….in black leather pants*.
While the vocals, from all three of them, are the big feature of the band, it is Josh Kaufman’s guitar playing which steals the show. Like Buddy Miller, he is only ever looking to serve the song but, man, he can send shards of sound from that red Guild guitar, looking for all the world like some mad professor as he bops around the stage. There’s no histrionics, no showing off; this is a consummate musician feeding the song, stoking the fire until it erupts in a fury, like burning embers, floating up into the night sky.
The wonderful drums, (JT Bates,) and sinuous bass, (Cameron Ralston,) underpin everything that is going on in front of them; never forcing the issue but always cajoling and encouraging.
This is folk music with funk.
They play 21 songs from their 41-song recorded canon in a 90-minute set which rattles along. They are funny and engaging and look like they’re having the time of their lives. At the end of a delirious Tumblin’ Down, Johnson declares that it was his favourite performance of the song they had ever done and the audience laps it up.
There is no lull in the set, no let up in intensity. California runs into Old Dutch and When I Was Younger into their signature song, Bonny Light Horseman, to end the night. Back after a huge noise from the crowd, they steam into Deep in Love and Cold Rain and Snow and then they’re hugging each other, grinning and waving at the crowd as they leave the stage.
*Sorry but the word ‘shorts’ just doesn’t cut it.
The audience:
Quiet and attentive, (hallelujah,) but as raucous as you like in their fulsome love for these songs and these musicians.
It made me think..
I have a few contenders for Gig of the Year but this one is right up there.
Not my video but, man…….
As you all probably know, Kaisfatdad, Locust and I saw Bonny Light Horseman in Stockholm on 13 November.
All I can say is that the person shooting the above video had a much better view of the performers than I did.
It was a standing concert – my first for 4½ years. And I think it’ll be a while before I attend another standing gig. We were stuck away at the side, a long way from the band. There was a huge cohort of very tall Swedish men in front of us. I couldn’t see very much. Occasionally I caught a glimpse of the top of Eric D. Johnson’s head or Josh Kaufman’s frizzy hair, but that was just about it.
The band sounded great, but I spent the entire gig thinking how splendid it would be to be sitting in a nice comfy seat ….
Standing gigs are a no for me now. I’ve been to a few some years ago entering with my stick I’ve been asked “Would you like a chair?”I may have hesitated when I was first asked now it’s a definite “yes please”.
@duco01, that’s my photo from the very last seat on the right of the stage. Like you, I try and avoid standing gigs. If I have to, (Danny & The Champs the other week,) and it’s a venue I know, (The Garage, Islington,) then I’ll get there early to find something to lean on. At The Garage there is a wooden shelf on the mixing desk enclosure, at the back, which you can lean on. @SteveT looked at me a bit oddly when I told him but he agreed it was a great spot and allowed a modicum of comfort.
I had the option of a ticket for this but didn’t go, partly because it was standing only. Also her voice gets on my wick after a while.
I share your indifference @Twang. Every time I try to like their performances I’m afraid I find myself thinking they should GAFMO and stop wallowing in how profound they seem to think it is to slow songs down to a funereal crawl.
Great stuff, Niall. I saw them in Dublin last year and they are something special. I like your discription of Anais and her almost involuntary movement while singing.
Can’t go this week, unfortunately. Their 2024 album is currently sitting top of the pile for me with just a few weeks to go…
*While I think of it, BLH were brought to my attention by your good self on these very pages. Once again. thank you…
Wow, that’s great. My work here is done 😉🙏
Great review Niall. I have a ticket to see them at new-to-me venue New Century Hall in Manchester on Saturday. I’m assuming it’s a standing gig but I’m always prepared to suffer for my art. On the basis of that video, I can’t wait!
Yep I’m going to the Manchester gig too. I saw them two years ago at Band On The Wall and they were just wonderful.
New Century is an excellent venue Vince – there always seems to be plenty of space and the acoustics are pretty good. Should be an excellent evening.
Good venue and the Food Hall downstairs is good too
It is so tempting to go to this tonight – this is a band I really should be investigating – but I really really need a night in.
@thecheshirecat : Anais’ voice is a little like the Professor Fay Hields, IMHO, so right up your lane. Also the reason I can only take a little of what I hear. Instrumentally brilliant band.
@thecheshirecat, this is exactly how I felt on the afternoon of the gig last time I saw them. I’m going again tonight – ’nuff said??
I’m amazed that you write that the audience was quiet and attentive.
I have stopped going to gigs at The Roundhouse because I’ve found them to be anything but.
It sounds like it’s my loss.
They were plenty noisy enough during the support act but I was surprised how quiet it got during BLH.
I was there @Niallb and was also initially a bit concerned that my 7 decades old body would not cope with standing – I did say to my gig going mate that he may have to carry me home. No probs though because once the band kicked in I was mesmerised.
I posted the next day on FB that whilst they may not be the best band in the world they may well be working towards it. Ridiculous hyperbole indeed but on reflection it does hold a bit of water :
1 best album of the year IMHO
2 best live performance I’ve seen in a long while
3 the band as a unit exceed the sum of the parts – great chemistry and they work so well as a unit. We were both marvelling at the drummer ( never mind the main 3!)
4 they are improving album by album
The support act was also very good – Bridget Kearney who for the most part sang solo against her own Hofner bass playing. Very brave but also very good.
Great! I’m glad it wasn’t me who left purring. Bridget was good, although all the better when Josh & JT joined her for the last two songs.
Seen them twice – last time at Black Deer in 2023 where they were also excellent. Actually wasn’t aware of this tour for some reason otherwise I would have gone.