It was Halloween night. Not a big fan of it, I was glad to be far away from the dressed up-student chaos that was taking place in town. Sage Gateshead turned out to be the right place to hide in. And Winter North Atlantic (and Bridie Jackson & The Arbour) made me feel more alive than ever in the night of death.
It was their third album launch - 'Phonautogram' - and Bridie Jackson & The Arbour were there supporting them. The four girls (all dressing black for the occasion) did an impeccable set as always. Bridie's voice flooded Hall two with its immensity. And would risk it to say that all the audience enjoyed the game between the guitar, violin, cello and percussion. Their set ended up with lovely 'Scarecrow' (one of my favourites), quite appropriate for the night like Bridie mentioned, it became the perfect closure to the supporting act.
But it was Winter North Atlantic's night and after a little interval everyone was ready to be blown away by their new songs. A dark room full of candles and a line-up on the middle-back part of the stage, horizontal, no jerarchy. Left to right a wide range of instruments: Violin (Ed Cross), guitar (Simon Canaway), bass (Ian Patterson), drums (Jeremy Bradfield), electric piano (Ed Carter), and clarinet and glockenspiel (Nichola Singh).
If you've never heard them, I'll just say check them out now. The band went through the new album and the audience got immersed on their intriguing musical style (could tell by a generally instaured head movement). Hard to describe, their music combines acoustic and electronic sounds, dissonant melodies and effects that without really understanding how, just work.
This new album brings a variety of sounds. Some songs have a more slow paced vibe while others are busier with effects and surround you with tension. You could tell all the musicians were enjoying it at the most. As they all were in their own world. An unusually played spine-tingling violin, a meticulous guitar, soft drums at times, and the magic touch of the electric piano and synths that distort and straigthen the melodies at the same time.
Songs like 'Yaga's Cabin' or 'How' put everyone with a melancolic mood, whereas tunes like 'Del Silenzio' transmitted an eerie feeling. The gig felt short but mainly satisfying. We could say it left you wanting more. After a long, sincere and much deserved applause that was maybe expecting one more song, the gig ended and everyone had to go home (or wherever). But with a feeling of having experienced a great and intense hour of good music and probably carrying all sorts of melodies and 'little noises' around their minds.
Words: Berta Manau
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