THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA

VENUE Sargeant MeMorial Hall, Brafield-on-tHe-green, nortHaMptonSHire DATE 13/07/2019

The most rock’n’roll thing about Brafield-on-the-Green is its official population – 666. But that’s changing thanks to local promoters Folk On The Green, who persuaded the Blackheart Orchestra to play in the village hall for 30 people. They agreed to do it just because organiser Tom asked them. here, tonight, the spirit of real music is making its stand

against the pressures of a world that’s devaluing art. (if there’s a grassroots movement like this near you, support it.)

With the use of layered live effects and multi-instrumental skills, there’s usually eight parts to each song, topped by chrissy Mostyn’s powerful but wistful voice. To call it “ethereal” is to be lazy: it has a breadth and depth that speaks of the weariness of centuries, but with a childish stubbornness that insists on a better tomorrow.

Their songs are almost sketches; ideas presented and explored, but never overdone. While audience favourites including sebastian, Now That We are Ghosts and Wolves perfectly illustrate the notion of preserving the last remembered moment of a dream, it’s still peace anthem left To right that sums up what the band are really about. an openhearted child watches soldiers, failing to find any sense in the idea of war. listen to it while watching clips of World War i on youTube – you’ll become convinced that it’s up to all of us to fix this mess.

New songs a Dangerous Thing (you could almost hear Freddie Mercury doing it), More and Darling africa depict a band in the throes of evolution. along with a sense of greater confidence, rick Pilkington’s solid voice and heavy rock bass tendencies (you could almost hear steve harris doing it) seem to fill more space, which enhances the finished effect. We’re told that new album Mesmeranto (out in October) includes choir tracks among other extensions to their sound.

By the end of the 21-song show there’s been an accidental Q&a session and jokes traded between artists and attendees. We’re thanked for giving the Blackheart Orchestra a “heart-burstingly beautiful” experience. it’s unlikely they’ll get the chance to play such a small space again, and it’s a shame for them as well as us.