Laura Veirs @ The Union Chapel, London, January 27th 2010.
The grandeur of this place is ridiculously intense. Candles lace the cement pillars, as the 500 strong audience members take to their pews. The working Chapel is set just as it would be for Sunday worship, the only unique additions being some standard concert lighting and the odd amp sat carefully next to a crucifix. Although the high ceilings and archaic structure do not offer any warmth this cold January evening, this factor is swiftly overlooked as Laura Veirs takes to the….. altar?
Commenting immediately on the immense stature of the venue she and her band are now stood, Laura begins. The acoustics are outrageously sublime. Standing with her acoustic, a lone violinist, synth and a minimal set of percussion, Laura introduces single ‘July Flame’ (taken from her recent album of the same name). With one melancholy riff, a subtle beat and a selection of sweet, amorous synths her vocals echo endlessly through the Chapel.
Originally recorded for Laura by Jim James of My Morning Jacket, ‘I Can See Your Tracks’ brings forward a magnificent array of haunting backing vocals tonight from her band members Nelson and Eric. An all together sweet song of a love lost.
Sometimes when you go see your favourite band, there’s always one couple having a amplified conversation about how they saw the Kaiser Chiefs at V Festival and it changed their life, with their back facing the artist (no, I don’t understand that band either), but this evening each and every member of the congregation are silent. Not a whisper from anyone. They sit in complete content, as Laura continues. With a vast catalogue of music and years of touring the world, Veirs is completely relaxed on stage, her words of fantasy and imagery so full of clarity they transfix all present.
‘Sleeper In The Valley’ offers further angelic vocals and opulent strings so sweeping your heart-rate tempers, and your surroundings become overwhelmingly apparent.
In all honesty you could probably see Jedwood perform at the Union Chapel and be suitably amazed (more likely at how ludicrous they are), but Laura Veirs really embraced her surroundings. Her music so longing, and beautiful the Chapel so complimentary.
Words: Frazer Lawton