Bats & Dogs

Natasha Khan plays to rain-soaked Somerset House

17 July 2009 - Well you could hardly have picked a less appropriate night to hear tracks from the album Two Suns, but Bat for Lashes found herself with a crowd as brave as it was soaked.

Aside from the convenient drama of flashes of lightning, her performance was characteristically bewitching and with the help of her recently beefed up band, new and older tracks had enough impact to penetrate the weather.

Still, Natasha Khan couldn't help but apologise to her mum, who was also in the audience as was The Magic Numbers' frontman Romeo Stodart.

Also on stage were a teenage girls' choir and an orchestra, which lent a great deal of depth to the sound as well as allowing Khan's crystalline melodies to stand out.

Rougher edge

The band predictably focused much of their attention on their latest album Two Suns, which although perhaps less immediately intoxicating than Fur and Gold, does have a punch that translates well live.

Charlotte Hatherley's guitar playing was much more evident on Daniel, for instance, than on the record, giving the track greater momentum and a rougher edge.

Heavy rain, thunder and lightning throughout the main set couldn't help but somewhat dampen the crowd's spirits, though Khan’s voice and the ethereal texture of the majority of her songs went unspoilt, which fans clearly appreciated.

"I thought she was absolutely brilliant," said one fan. "I stood beneath the hand dryer in the toilet for the most of the night but it was still worth it."

"She was really good, her voice is amazing," another added. "Often you see bands and you are a bit disappointed when you see them live but she is actually better live than she is on record."

Upbeat songs

Given the environment and the persevering spirit shown by fans it was unsurprising that upbeat songs like Pearl’s Dream and Sleep Alone were met with cheers since they provided a welcome opportunity to dance away the gloom.

The rain did stop for the encore, which gave an opportunity for a singalong during Priscilla that seemed to endure through Good Love, Two Planets and closer Daniel.

It was a brief respite though, as the heavens opened shortly after the set finished, to send everyone well and truly on their way.

Rodrigo Davies