Music > Live Reviews
C Duncan
Norwich Arts Centre
03/02/17
It does not seem that long since Chris Duncan was last at Norwich Arts Centre, and when I check back it reveals that he was debuted here in April of last year, after re-scheduling a February date due to illness. That was still a good six months before the release of The Midnight Sun, so this show should still feature plenty of fresh live material amidst the favourites from Architect.
Support for the last eight dates on this tour come from Stevie Parker, a singer-songwriter based in Bath, who performs tonight with a band comprising keys, drums, guitar and bass. Looking rather like a younger, grungier Laura Marling, and possessing a voice capable of covering bases held by Lana Del Ray, Hannah Reid (London Grammar) and even an assuaged Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches), Ms Parker paints her canvas with dark and brooding colours. However each track contains the ability to explode into warm pulsating showers of electronic beats and keyboard-led melody. And all topped off with a voice that hints of yet even more energy and versatility just hiding beneath the surface. Only the extraneous noises and effects from a rather obvious backing track detracted from the performance. It may be obvious and lazy to quote The XX as a reference point – her ethereality reminded me a lot of electronic duo Alpines. As well as original tracks from her EP Blue she delivers a stunning re-working of that Joe Jackson classic Different For Girls.
During the interval a familiar figure is signing albums behind the merch stand. Just an indication of how relaxed and amiable Chris Duncan appears tonight. The band come onstage to music from to The Twilight Zone, a reference to The Midnight Sun, which is also the name of an episode from that classic sci-fi series. It is a sightly different band line-up from last year, with Michael on keys, Andrew on guitar, Liam on drums, and Lluis on bass (each is individually introduced to us by their first names during the course of the set), but the arrangement and performances are still absolutely spot on. For a bedroom composer and multi-instrumentalist to be able to re-score two albums worth of material and make it sound so sweet on tour is a testament to Chris' compositional training and skills. It largely leaves him free to concentrate on vocals and guitar, the latter an instrument that does not feature prominently in either of the studio albums.
As you would expect the set-list favours The Midnight Sun, with eight out of eleven tracks given an airing. All are gorgeous, but it is the title track that really raises the goosebumps on the back of my neck, its cinematic scope and swooping vocals reminiscent of Goldfrapp's Felt Mountain. Other Side is given an almost jazz-like treatment, and Wanted To Want It Too provides yet another highlight. Appropriately enough, Last to Leave is held back for the finale. Architect, the title track off the debut album makes a welcome re-appearance, as does previous showstopper Say. Garden is saved for the encore. However it is an old B-side reissued for Record Store Day, presented tonight as a tribute to Norwich and its Arts Centre, that really steals the show. As the drummer steps up to the microphone Chris and the band perform a stripped down acapella version of Castle Walls that leaves the audience bewitched and spellbound. A moment of real musical beauty.
As the set finishes Chris is back at the merch stand being the lovely man that he obviously is, and happy to talk to the exiting audience. Tonight has demonstrated just how talented it is necessary to be to successfully bring a solo multi-instrumented work to a live band experience. C Duncan has achieved this and more tonight, presenting tracks from two very different albums as one cohesive performance. It cannot have failed to impress even the most apathetic of listeners.