After my ravingly enthusiastic review of a Lau gig in London earlier this year it will come as no surprise to read that tonight was another triumph for a trio that just seem to get better and better as the years go by. Playing to a sold out Queens Hall, this was yet another superb performance of virtuosity and delight, met with a fully deserved standing ovation at the end of the night.
Support came from New York singer/songwriter Simi Stone. Playing fiddle and guitar, and aided for some of the set by guitarist Dan Whitehouse, Stone mostly sang her own songs. With a powerful voice, at times reminiscent of Carole King, a chatty relationship with her audience, simple but effective arrangements, and some interesting lyrics, she proved to be a good warm up act and set the scene for what was to follow. So I may have been in a minority in finding that voice uninspiring, even a touch flat at times, and the songs verging towards platitudinous pop, but Stone just din't do it for me. Some nice work on the strings from Whitehouse though.
All that is forgotten once Martin, Kris and Aidan take the stage. Further dramatised by a theatrical light show, the music was as magical as ever. A mix of tunes and songs from albums past and present, but with fresh arrangements for some of the old stuff, and some well conceived segues that maintained the momentum of the gig. Once again Midnight Feast proved a highlight, with probably the finest rendition of this great song I have yet heard the band deliver.
Nothing stays the same in the world of Lau, and their ever increasing mastery of electronics, underwritten by their innate musicianship, mean there is always something unexpected to enjoy, no matter how many times I go to see this band. It's an experience that remains unsurpassed.
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