This is the first time I've been to Stoller Hall and it looks to be a lovely venue. From the snippets of conversations I can hear around me, other people seem similarly impressed. Part of the prestigious Chethams School of Music, it is tailor-made for live performances. There is also a quirky balcony which surrounds the stage including the back of it, meaning you could get an up close view of the back of the performer if you so wish.
There is a technical problem before Amelia Coburn even starts her set as the mic isn't working and this delays the start by a few minutes. The haunting opener 'When The Tide Rolls In' is traditional yet ethereal folk in the vein of the songs covered by Anais Mitchell on 'Child Ballads'. 'Nodding Dog' has loosely strummed guitar which sounds a bit sad and desperate but the vocals are pretty beguiling. 'Sleepy Town' is livelier and the vocals have an exotic feel whilst 'See Saw' has a childlike, nursery rhyme feel. 'Something Wild' has a dark romantic quality and is again quite traditional. Amelia comes across as amiable and likeable, and musically it is pretty good.
Katherine Priddy plays a different style of folk, one with more contemporary influences. She also has a band backing her up this time and musically they often remind me of Richard Hawley. The opening 'Frightening Machines' could almost be a folk Radiohead and it is impossibly beautiful. 'Atlas' has a playful, fairground feel and the way Katherine's voice blends with the guitarist George's vocals is lovely. 'Matches' is darker traditional folk but is no less compelling or beautiful. 'A Boat On The River' is serene and calming, and the mournful violin adds extra depth. When other instruments are incorporated, they add extra textures such as on the jaunty 'Letters From A Travelling Man' which features some lovely mandolin. 'Euridice' is another dark song but is surprisingly peaceful.
The slinky 'Hurricane' sees latin flavoured bossanova mixed with a '60 spy film soundtrack and it adds an extra dimension to the set as it is different to the rest of her tracks. George and Katherine's duet 'I'm Always Willing' is utterly gorgeous and George's restrained guitar solo is excellent. 'Icarus' is another track inspired by Greek myths and it is moving and beautiful. Katherine's voice is a delight, the focal point of everything she plays and always compelling. It isn't static though, as it shifts from ethereal to something more grounded and earthy. 'Could This Be Enough?' is ghostly and magical while 'Indigo' is a terrifc way to close a spellbinding set.
Katherine Priddy ****
Amelia Coburn ***
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