It’s a while since I’ve been to The Glasshouse (formerly The Sage) and as I approach I’m reminded just how stunning the building is. I also remember that it’s a venue that was designed and built to provide the best possible acoustics. The sound is so good that listening to a band can sometimes seem like you’re simply listening to their latest album through the best possible hi-fi system. Tonight’s gig is in Hall 2, significantly smaller than the main hall, and I’m wondering why there’s so many people in the bar/food areas and why it was so difficult to get parked outside. Until I remember the The Pretenders are playing a sold out show in the main hall.
Hall 2 has a capacity of 600 and is incredibly well designed with a raised seating area around the almost circular standing floor. Small enough to feel you’re at an intimate gig, big enough to get a decent sized crowd in and develop a great atmosphere. And a great atmosphere is what we get tonight. Not only for the headliners but for support act Ladies Of Midnight Blue, a duo who deliver an incredible sound full of swaying rhythms. The djembes and bougarabous hold the beats but there’s also some beautiful trombone playing and even a rather good version of What A Wonderful World played on a Conch. Ladies Of Midnight Blue aren’t simply a decent warm up for the headliners they have the crowd dancing and hollering and create a perfect sense of unity amongst those lucky enough to have ventured in early enough to see them.
Afro Celt Sound System are at the forefront of contempory world music. Fusing African, Bhangra and Gaelic sounds their songs have been bringing people together for almost 30 years. Fusing the spirit and music from different cultures their show is spectacular both in sound and in vision. Founding member Simon Emmerson sadly passed away in March 2023. Being the driving force in the bands innovative, genre defying recordings means his loss will be felt for many years. However, Emmerson was determined that the band should carry on and had been working on their next album ‘OVA’ which was released this month.
This tour shows the band celebrating the release of OVA and the memory of Emmerson. Various images of him appear on the screen forming a backdrop throughout the evening. It also shows their determination to continue delivering superb shows full of a dizzying array of sounds that for 90 minutes unite every single person present. N’Faly Kouyate’s Kora and Johnny Kalsi’s Dhol dominate the sounds but it’s the blending in of some frantic percussion, a keyboard, pipes, whistles and gorgeous vocal harmonies that create Afro Celt Sound System’s unique, mesmorising sounds.
From the opening notes the audience is captured. Every song feels emotional, celebratory, uplifting yet deep and thoughtful. All at the same time. Every song has a beat that urges you to dance whilst delivering messages about some serious world issues, not least the need for peace.
Afro Celt Sound System are superb tonight. Of course there’s sadness but tonight shows that the legacy of Simon Emmerson will continue for many years to come.
Click on any image for a short slide show of the evening.
Photos/words: Steve White
