With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

I was initially attracted by the whole concept of the Blackheart Orchestra given the myriad of ways in which they have been described online; acoustically electronic and a duo that sounds like an eight-piece band. I was even more intrigued to discover that this gig was to be a very intimate all-seated show. So, what was the Blackheart Orchestra like? Read on dear readers I need to tell you about the support act first. She is called Autumn Dawn Leader and yes that is her real name. Her music is impassioned, passionate, and emotional electronic folk. Musically, on some songs, I felt a hint of the more ambient elements of ‘Low’ period David Bowie (with Brian Eno). Her more classical piano sound on other songs made me think of Philip Glass. Vocally I felt that Autumn has some Siouxse and Kate Bush vibes. She is a truly original artist with some great songs. I loved the power displayed in “Seaweed Dreams” which, for me, was on a par with Kate Bush in her most “out there” moments. Autumn is also a life model and she has written a gorgeous song, “Living Art”, about that part of her life. “Radioactive” was described by Autumn as a nerdy love song, it certainly is, but it is also a very fine one. She switched to guitar for “What It Is”, a deep, dark ballad, on which the hurt and the anger were almost palpable. She closed with the multi-octave epic “Howl”. It is hard not to love Autumn Dawn Leader. I am now a fan!

The stage set up for the Blackheart orchestra looked like it was set for many more people than just multi-instrumentalists Chrissy Mostyn and Richard Pilkington and I can confirm that they have a sound that is so mighty and potent that they do sound like an eight-piece unit. Their sound is a weird and wonderful mix of Gothish, proggy, and folky electronica. Imagine if you will the Eurhythmics taking their sound back to nature, that is one way that the Blackheart Orchestra made me feel. They are in possession of some stunning songs and heavenly harmonies. There is a rich vein of prog rock running through what they do and apparently, the prog crowd has adopted them. The obvious comparison with Chrissy’s voice is probably Kate Bush, but in her phrasing and projection on some songs I picked up traces of Dolores O’Riordan. The huge range of sound the band hits the audience with is cinematic in scope, vision, and ambition. It is often haunting, always phenomenal, and if music can be described as physically beautiful, pulchritudinous! “A Dangerous Thing” is the perfect example of the band’s enormous soundscape. Why was “Under The Headlights” not a huge hit? It has everything that a perfect rock or pop song needs; hooks, gorgeous melody, and the musicianship and voices are off the scale. In a set full of highlights my favourite moments were “Astronaut” and the majestically epic “The Flood”. The melodic use of the bass guitar is stunning! I also loved the playing the guitar with a bow moment, in homage to the dark master himself, Jimmy Page. The Blackheart Orchestra is an unbelievably classy act, can someone offer them the chance to record a James Bond theme, please? Even their merch is delightfully tasteful. They might have run out of tea towels, but a dedicated fan (a really nice chap) has built a Blackheart Orchestra Bird Box, now that just adds to the magic of this band. If you have not heard them before, start listening now, that is an order!

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