Relationships are one of the corner stones of the makeup of humanity. Coming in all different shapes and sizes, the bond that a band and its fans shares is something unique that only the listener and the artist will ever truly understand.
[date]9th October 2015[/date]
[venue]St James Church[/venue]
[city]London, Picadilly[/city]
[support_bands]Verse Chorus Verse[/support_bands]
After deciding to put things on hold after last year’s double release of Z2, Devin Townsend typically has not been resting. Performing the Dark Matters section of the new album in a one off Royal Albert Hall appearance, finishing his book and writing a musical is hardly taking it easy. Now adding more to the relaxing list the singer announced that he would be performing a string of UK dates of An Acoustic Evening With performances. Choosing a different venue for the stripped back approach the singer decided to hold London’s proceedings at St James’ Church. Looking slightly out of place in the bustling metropolis of Picadilly it’s always intriguing to see what kind of fans emerge for a Devin Townsend performance.
Noticeably the most striking aspect of the church are the fantastic acoustics, with the beautiful architecture inside lending to the aesthetic appeal of the venue. As the church slowly fills up we are the setting becomes as much a part of the band as anything else.In keeping with the simple approach a man walks up to the stage stating that he is indeed Verse Chorus Verse. Personally I find it pretty daunting for the young man, the sect of fans that attend An Evening With are die hard fans, not your fair weather fans. Yet it would seem that our man from Balanoney is more than up to the challenge.
Comprising of classic style country songs melded with Blues the man recounts a tale which inspired song “Yet To Break” beginning as reticent, the crowd slowly warms to the act as he surprisingly turns on the Tom Waits switch for the more guttural “Have Some Soul“. Showcasing just why the man was handpicked by Townsend himself, ranging from all out whiskey fed to sweet soft lyrics he even includes his rendition of classic 50’s “Sixteen Tonnes“. Graciously exiting the man captivated an audience that was here for one reason only, no easy feat.
Not having the usual house lights dim charade the candles as simply made slightly darker. No grandiose Intro tracks, very simply Devin Townsend walking onto the stage in a shirt with an acoustic. Instantly his charicature quirkiness is revealed as we are told the venue is of St Churches of Goddington and to be prepared for a night of awkwardness…
Performing an acoustic set truly separates the men from the boys, without the aural trickery of distortion or even having a band on stage with you to fall back into the spotlight is entirely on you. Yet this is where the singer excels, with bountiful charisma the way that Townsend holds himself makes for a sense of familiarity most bands would never even dream of having with their fans. A melting pot of spoken word, acoustic renditions blends into one. Often coming out of a section of a song with simple improvised chords creating a sense of unbroken continuation. Taking his glasses off in order to feel “less awkward” which also renders the man temporarily blind making for typically funny double checks of setlists. The night is full of whimsical remarks, perfect timing courtesy of a Suzuki racing past and even the sounds of a murder?
Dancing throughout the singers innumerable catalogue we are treated to renditions of classic Strapping Young Lad tracks like “Love” sung in an almost comical way inspiring the audience to have enough of a giggle, stating that “what churches need is a little bit of sci-if” we’re moved into the Ziltoidian realm for a beautiful rendition of “The Grey’s” and the more upbeat “Hyperdrive“. Though as mesmerising as the man’s musical proclivity might be its his personality that truly is the star tonight. Detailing tracks like “Funeral” from Ocean Machine era letting us, the fans, in on what the DNA of the song was about describing the meaning behind the track. Complete with crowd participation with the classic “Juular” which little did we know was originally penned as Jugular but due to Autocorrect inspired the name of the infamous train driving track. Making for a particularly haunting chorus the choir becomes it’s people truly uniting Townsend and the fans. As the announcement of “The Other Side” comes about a blood curdling scream shatters the singers psyche, along with the audience! Restarting the song after asking about the screamers current state the man beautifully dedicates the song to our banshee.
Personal highlight though has to be Ki favourite “Coast” a riff tricky track that requires as much concentration as it conjures serenity, coupled with the incredible vocals performed tonight which long reverberate through the church’s halls. Disproving any theories that fans might have of vocal trickery surrounding the singers pipes, tonight Townsend has been absolutely impeccable. Much like his musical adaptability Townsend is the chameleon of surroundings. Entwining both fans and setting alike the man is known for the zany, quirky persona but when there are nights like these, a simple, modest ultimately human sense of Townsend and makes for a truly momentous evening. Exiting post haste our gracious host bolts out the church door and just as he appeared so is he gone.
