FOLK WEEK: Alessi’s Ark on Laura Marling’s Festival Hall showcase
To wrap up our ‘Folk Week’ in style, Rockfeedback is delighted to host the following article, penned by Alessi’s Ark herself, detailing the evening’s events at Laura Marling’s (is it too early to say ‘seminal’?) Festival Hall showcase recently [reviewed by Tim Dellow HERE]. Here’s how it went down, from a performer’s perspective.
There was a warm, supportive feeling of community and all the performers brought a different sound and feeling to the table.
Almost like a pot-luck dinner party, you didn't know exactly what would be served up, but you put your faith in Laura the wonderful host and tucked in to a delightful feast as she interwove her own set of songs new and old with performances from her guests.
The first thing that struck me about the Royal Festival Hall was its subterranean world of corridors, locker rooms, cupboards, closets and dressing rooms. I now imagine beneath all great buildings there must be a world of people beavering away to make sure everything runs smoothly above ground.
Pete Roe, Ethan Johns, Johnny Flynn and Peggy Sue performed in the first half of the show. Sons of Noel and Adrian opened the second half and did so beautifully. Watching them perform is always something special, spiritual even and on Tuesday it was nothing short of astounding. They usually perform as a 12 piece and although they were a slightly smaller family at the Festival Hall, you wouldn't have known it - there wasn't a sound missing.
Whilst everybody tagged in and out on stage there was no shortage of support and kindness down in the bustling corridors and just before Ben Lovett and I were about to step on, I thought a flurry of butterflies were getting the best of me. If it hadn't been for Laura's encouragement and every body's kindness, I don't think playing would've been so much fun. Ben and I performed 'Hummingbird' and it was a very special. Andrew Bird (in all his whistling glory) performed after us and later Ben returned with his band mates, Mumford and Sons to perform their haunting 'Thistle & Weeds'.
The stage had an almost colosseum-like layout. I hadn't thought to turn around during 'Hummingbird' and didn't realise there were listeners tucked in the choir seats behind the performers until we joined Laura as she performed her last song of the evening, 'Crawled Out of the Sea'. For the first time all of the audience were revealed and I saw there wasn't a wasted nook or cranny.
Laura could not have chosen a more fitting, spectacular theatre for her special night. I hope she enjoyed the show as much as we all did.
Artists in this article: Alessi's Ark