The Unthanks at Newcastle City Hall

On Saturday evening I paid an all too rare visit to Newcastle City Hall. As I attended many of my first concerts at that venue, it was something of a homecoming for me, as it was indeed for the Newcastle based folk band, The Unthanks.

If the name is unfamiliar to you, then perhaps you have an aversion to folky type music sung in a northern dialect. If so, may I suggest you give a listen to the wonderful new album 'Mount The Air'. Also a flick through various press reports and internet sites will reveal that among The Unthanks legions of followers are, Ryan Adams, Martin Freeman, Elvis Costello, Colin Firth, Robert Wyatt, Nick Hornby, Ade Edmondson and members of Radiohead. A pretty diverse collection I think you will agree.

The support act who opened both parts of the show were a Stockton-on-Tees based trio who call themselves the Young'uns. I first caught them live exactly two years ago when they ably supported Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer. On this occasion they performed all of their songs unaccompanied and totally captivated the audience with their vocal harmonies and their witty in between song chatter.


The Unthank sisters, Rachel and Becky eventually took centre stage and were surrounded by a very capable bunch of backing musicians. Strangely in these times, with the exception of the electric bass, there was not a guitar to be seen. Instead, the band weave their magic with drums, piano, harmonium, a string quartet and a young lady who performed wonders on trumpet and flugelhorn. Focusing mainly on the current album, they ended the first set with the absolutely awesome 10 minute title track. I have always loved the acoustics of the City Hall and it was a perfect setting to replicate the wonderful sound the band achieve on this superb album.


The second set was a little more eclectic featuring songs by Antony Hegerty, Robert Wyatt and ending with a great version of King Crimson's 'Starless' before the band returned to encore with a reprise of the end section of 'Mount The Air'.


If I have one complaint about the performance, it concerned the amount of chatter. While it was always engaging and allowed the natural personality of the girls to come across, it also affected the overall flow of the songs and in my view, interrupted the dramatic effect of their wonderful music. However, that is merely a small personal viewpoint. 


Clearly the girls were overawed at this homecoming reception. This was their first performance at the City Hall. I hope it will not be their last.