Entertainment For Lively Minds
Laura Marling
Posted by Vernier Caliper on 22 October 2011 - 10:16pm.
When:
Friday October 21st 2011
Where:
York Minster
Comments:
I know the Marling band are good, because I've seen them on Later... I wouldn't have known it from this gig because from our cold, hard seat about five mighty, matched columns back down the nave, the sound was as muddy as a catfish in a mud pie dance-off. Neither cello nor bass nor harmonium made their presence felt; guitar was nearly lost altogether; only the banjo made a brave stand. Drums, above all, took on the might of the Minster and lost heavily. Much of the new album played; delightful solo-with-a-guitar section worked best of all, but if you didn't know the music before you attended, you'd be none the wiser afterwards. But Laura? She was heavenly.
The Audience:
Absolute minimum of audience chat - the barest of whispers. Very few iPhone flashes - thank you one and all. Heavy student presence. Hushed reverence with (very) occasional whoopage.
Food & Drink:
Jager bombs, Slippery Nipples, Slow Comfortable Screws Against The Wall - the Minster bar is rocking and open 24 hours a day. Although we settled for tuna baked potato before we left home, and wine when we got back.
It Made Me Think...:
The gig default for buildings such as this is vocals, which have been well practised for over a thousand years, and keyboards in the last few centuries. A good reason against doing an electronically-amplified cathedral tour.
Acoustics
I was disappointed that I missed out on the Sheffield Cathedral gig tonight, but I have heard music played in the cathedral before as part of the Tramlines Festival and the sound was dreadful. Add to that, every cough, splutter, drunken giggle, etc seemed to drown out the music. I think you are right - a solo voice and a guitar would work better.
I hope she tours some normal venues soon, because I've been loving the latest album.
I saw the afternoon gig...
... at York, which was in a small side chapel, and was just Laura M with her guitar. The sound was perfect, I thought. It was the first time I'd seen LM and I thought her general nervousness and lack of communion (no pun etc) with the audience made it all a bit polite and restrained for my personal tastes, in terms of a performance. Undoubtedly, she is amazingly talented, and that certainly shone through -- but I found myself admiring her, rather than loving the event. I really like her second album but don't yet know either of the other two.