London Falls For The Low Anthem!

4:29 PM GMT 25/06/2009

The Union Chapel in Islington, North London (designed by James Cubitt and built in 1877) was famously bombed during World War II. Today its tower is still in need of restoration, but its olde worlde charm provides a perfect backdrop for The Low Anthem's timeless classicism.

The three-piece from Providence, Rhode Island, possess an aura that appears amplified when placed centre stage in front of the chapel's impressive pulpit. Their sound too resonates with a greater sense of space and ambience, floating above the packed pews which house an enraptured audience of 500.

Ostensibly the UK launch of the band's new album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, this MOJO Club show marks The Low Anthem's second visit to these shores in as many months and underlines their growing popularity.

Their appeal is based on the fact that their music draws on influences that range from Tom Waits to Bob Dylan by way of Hank Williams, and yet their sound - complex and layered thanks to their bewildering use of multi-instrumentation - is evidently all their own. Noted highlights include the opening wonderment of Broken Bones, a hair-raising cover of Cigarettes And Whiskey (previously interpreted by Peter Sellers and The Muppets among others) and Charlie Darwin - the new album's hugely affecting title track. Tonight, The Low Anthem are close to overwhelming.

The scene for their triumph is set by two equally engaging opening acts. First on is Gemma Ray, London's first lady of all things noir, who delivers a solo performance which is spirited, gutsy and absorbing. Tonight's set bodes well for her forthcoming album, the highly anticipated Lights Out Zolta (due out on the Bronzerat label on September 7).

Equally enthralling are Snowbird - aka Stephanie Dosen and ex-Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde. The latter's piano/laptop atmospherics provide sparse but affecting backing to Stephanie's nature-infused lyrical vignettes. While Snowbird describe themselves as "a work in progress", tonight they deliver a set that suggests that time in the studio can only be just around the corner. For now, however, Raymonde may have something else to occupy his time: most notably the rise of The Low Anthem, which on this showing, appears to be inescapable.

Photos courtesy of Simon Fernandez

Posted by Ross_Bennett at 4:29 PM GMT 25/06/2009

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