The Low Anthem live at Summer Sundae 2010
Posted by Kuang on Tue, 17 Aug 2010.
It’s five-thirty in the evening on the last day of Summer Sunday 2010, and The Low Anthem are about to take the stage. I had my doubts about a band known for such a gentle and soft delivery playing outdoors on a warm, bright afternoon but I’m glad to say I was wrong.
The set opens in typically low key fashion, with all four band members gathering around the mic and weaving delicate acapella four-part harmonies. Despite the usual festival blight of people talking over the bands, there’s an appreciative silence from the crowd (many of whom are crashed out on the grass) which bodes well.
We’re then back into full instrumental mode for an all too short whistle stop tour of their back catalogue and a few new items that may be on the next album. The band seem equally at home with swapping roles between the huge variety of bizarre, battered instruments on stage, including an old pump organ, clarinets, a musical saw, a violin or two, a harmonium and even a set of crotales (miniature rack mounted cymbal-ish discs) which in this case are played with a bow for an eerie yet beautiful tone.
Unfortunately, while their own instruments may be a lot more reliable than their appearance would suggest, the PA system isn’t and dies mid-song. After working out what happened, Ben and Mat move to the front of the stage and carry on singing unplugged to the crowd, to an almighty cheer. After a thunderous round of applause, Jeff and Jocie join then on the very edge of the stage for a gorgeous cover of Emmylou Harris’ ‘Evangeline’. The PA is sorted soon afterwards, but the moment has turned an already impressive set into something very personal and special. Ben gestures at the pit and jokes that we can all throw our loose change into the bucket, and we’re back on track.
Live favourite ‘This Goddamn House’ makes a welcome appearance, but the band don’t go for the mobile phone trick - possibly because it’s an open air venue and wouldn’t work, but maybe through not wishing to tempt fate. It doesn’t matter; it’s a beautiful, mournful rendition regardless. We’re also treated to The Rev. Gary Davis cover ‘Sally where’d you get your liquor from?’ before they round off the set with another gathering around the mic for a heartfelt, almost spiritual version of the traditional folk song ‘The Auld Triangle’
According to Ben it’s been a sloppy set, but he’s being needlessly self critical. The Low Anthem took a potentially tricky slot and turned it into pure magic, and in doing so created one of the most abiding memories of the festival.