LIVE REVIEW: Jo Quail @ The Bodega, Nottingham

As the sun was setting on this specific brisk Wednesday night, there’s a buzz that The Bodega has always come with whenever a show hits Nottingham. Whether if it’s how personal it feels, a little bohemian safe haven for the dedicated or if it was every note is about to be embraced from internationally acclaimed composer JO QUAIL on her first UK tour.

Breaking the silence through Ellen Southern‘s vocals and Tom Bush‘s guitar all the while being wrapped in loops and atmospheric electronics, the medieval neo-folk quartet DEAD SPACE CHAMBER MUSIC comprised of conjuring auditory moments through the use of different implements, generating soundscapes without giving a break to their spectators. The use of broken porcelain made a unique appearance as part of their percussion arsenal, which produced the evocative crash that would haunt one’s dreams. For the occasion, the use of song titles on their nearly hour set did not matter. The audience in the vicinity were captivated to the point that one can hear a pin drop. Emotions through their performance were at the right moments and overall, it was a feverish listen that left the crowd enthralled from the darkness of their distinctive performance.

Rating: 8/10

The cello is a haunting instrument that is sometimes overlooked. It’s until onlookers are a witness to its overall potential, we have an artist who have embraced the skills and level of multi-instrumental expertise through the armour. Described as a siren without the vocal chords, the way JO QUAIL executed her setlist was like giving each prose freedom to roam with a warm embrace.

The first track White Salt Stag was the opener that was slowly built on loops on gradual symphonic evolution, while Rex (what used to be called Rex Infractus) was a revisited exploration of words and genuine emotion within the music. The Hidden Forest, a song about magic with water and energy, played on the acoustic cello got to hear music thrive on creativity while seated and eyes closed. A nameless new track was expressed excitedly for not being sure how to finish it has gone even further that had the. audience intrigued further.

Witnessing JO QUAIL perform in The Bodega room was exhilarating. Nottingham embraced the ephemeral intimacy that would have welcomed those who would easily be swept up by her otherworldly musical dynamism. The way she expresses each song with authentic enthusiasm shows how sublime the music ran through the mind to the bow in her hand.

Her prose from the track Gold was a romantic piece of that was built on intensity and passion. Bringing Ellen of DEAD SPACE CHAMBER MUSIC back on stage to make a thrilling duet on stage, it was endearing to know the pair improvised together the day before playing live and got a great response from the. witnesses. Mandrel Cantus saw JO QUAIL replicate the original guitar solo into a fresh approach while the gratifying encore of The Embrace and Forge got Nottingham to see art passing art, while fully appreciating the charismatic charm that JO QUAIL mastered through her career on her UK tour.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Nottingham from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here: 

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