Enchanted Harmonies: An Evening of Firelight, Folklore, and the Avant-Garde

29 Oct 2023

In the heart of the city, tucked away on Ullet Road, the historic church stood as an emblem of timeless charm. On a night when the stars dared to peek through the bustling city lights, the church's adjoining hall transformed into a sanctuary for the soulful and the avant-garde. "Isn’t it good to be lost in the wood," a title that evoked intrigue and promised an escape into the enigmatic world of music, delivered an evening that resonated deeply with every attendee.

Upon entering the hall, one was immediately enveloped in a warmth that defied the crisp air outside. A majestic fire roared in the hearth, casting a soft glow that danced across the faces of a diverse crowd, while candles flickered like distant lighthouses guiding ships to safe harbour. The scent of burning wood mingled with the subtle notes of wine and ale, crafting an atmosphere that was as intoxicating as it was comforting.

As the evening unfolded, melodic jazz set the stage, with notes that weaved through the air like silk – smooth and untethered. Musicians, maestros of their craft, coaxed sounds from their instruments that bent the line between improvisation and prophecy. Their fingers moved with a precision that was almost otherworldly, drawing the audience into a shared trance.

Then came the psychedelic waves, a fusion that pulled from depths uncharted. The music swelled and dipped, a sonic exploration that redefined boundaries. Listeners found themselves adrift in a sea of sound, each wave crashing over them with the gentle force of innovation. The familiarity of folk music was there, but it was painted with new colours, a kaleidoscope of acoustic textures that reimagined tradition.

Chilled-out vocals cut through the complexity, a human touch amidst the cascade of sound. These voices rose and fell, sometimes a whisper, sometimes a cry – always genuine, raw, and hauntingly beautiful. Each syllable was cradled by the acoustic arrangements, creating a harmony that seemed to speak directly to the soul.

What was truly remarkable was the silence among the audience. A reverential hush that settled over the crowd, so profound that indeed, one could hear a pin drop during the performances. It was not out of obligation but out of sheer captivation; a testament to the artists' ability to hold the hall in a collective moment of awe.

The night was more than a concert; it was a gathering of minds and spirits, thirsty for the authentic, the experimental, and the moving. The real ale and wine flowed at a pace that matched the music's ebb and flow – respectable, yet free-spirited.

As the final note quivered into silence, the crowd was left with a lingering sense of having been part of something truly special. And in that moment, there was a silent agreement, a shared anticipation for the return of this eclectic and soul-stirring event in February 2024. For it was not just an evening of music – it was an invitation to journey through the unknown, to be lost in the woods of sound and emerge somehow transformed.