The last thing you want after a day out at the football, is to have to pull yourself out of bed, get dressed and trek into town for a concert. But, when Bat For Lashes is in town, that’s something you’ve just gotta do.
The Albert Hall in Manchester, located next to the Albert Schloss, 42nd Street nightclub and the public library – three very different places – is fucking stunning. A renovated church, the towering ceiling creates an atmosphere unrivalled by any other venue in the city, the stained-glass windows adding a touch of class, the trademark fairy lights wrapped around the upstairs, balcony seating adding a more contemporary, quirky element.
The main room is usually all standing, people cramming in all corners, but tonight was a more civilised affair. Seats were laid out in rows as people sat drinking the various European ales on offer, chatting away with friends and family enjoying the setting for this Sunday service.
There’s only two people on stage. Natasha Kahn – of course – and her pianist-cum-back-up-vocalist. There’s a few lanterns dotted around, and Kahn is wearing a stunning, blood red dress. On this tour, Bat For Lashes is playing stripped back sets, bringing the songs back down to their bare bones and allowing her voice and piano wizardry to entertain the punters. Opening with material from her latest album, Lost Girls, her voice was enthralling, extraterrestrial, a bit like the things that inspire her tunes – proper, proper class. After the first 5 tracks however – all from the recent LP – the gig tailed off a little, the acoustic nature of the performance meaning it became a little too one-paced, Kahn’s entertaining chit chat proving to be a saving grace.
Waffling on about vampires, extra-terrestrial life and sci-fi films, her knowledge of pop-culture, obscure culture and art culture was impressive. Delivering these tales, providing context to the tracks in her friendly, warm tone, she had the crowd laughing – particularly when she informed us she once lay on her patio, trying to talk to Kurt Cobain after a mind-reading session.
It’s always nice to see something different. Granted, Kahn’s been around for a while now, she’s been successful and therefore has leeway other artists don’t have when it comes to a live show. She’s allowed to experiment without suffering, as such. But she still has to execute. Stripped back sessions often become boring, mundane, weighed down. Yes, for a moment or two, Kahn suffered this fate, but her personality, vocal and ability to rearrange her songs to suit this downbeat occasion meant it was a stunning Sunday showing.Â
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