Music > Live Reviews

Jesca Hoop

EPIC Studios

02/04/17

'How many of you here tonight have been to one of my shows before?' asks Jesca Hoop at one point during last night's show at Norwich's Epic Studios. A couple of hands go up. But this is Californian-born Jesca's first visit to Norwich, and that many of us present have already 'discovered' her music through plays on BBC Radio 6, and have bought the albums. Even though she moved to Manchester nine years ago we have had to wait until now for a live visit. It certainly in no way diminishes our appreciation and respect for this enigmatic and genre-defying singer songwriter, currently touring her fifth solo album release Memories Are Now.

This is the sixth date on the UK leg of the tour before heading off to Europe for much of May, and she is accompanied tonight by a three piece band that provide drums, synths, additional guitars and vocals to her own extraordinary voice and bare finger-plucked guitar sound. Dressed tonight in kimono-style outfit that co-ordinates serendipitously with Epic Studios' own black drapes, Hoop is a mesmerisingly theatrical performer – treading a path that meanders between the shamanic and the elemental, yet embarking on a course that rediscovers the pioneering experimentation of 70's alt-folk. She reminds me of the French electronic musician Émilie Simon, or our own Daisy Victoria, although others may cite Emiliana Torrini or even Kate Bush as reference points.

Few of the songs are given much in the way of introduction, although the themes become self-apparent – Pegasi has astral overtones, Animal Kingdom Chaotic laments our increasing dependence on technology (and includes the repeated refrain 'computer says no' – familiar to us from Little Britain, although Jesca did not move to the UK until 2008. I wonder if she notices the UK audiences' wry smiles?), and the powerful solo delivery of The Coming, in which Jesus Christ questions his mission on Earth.

Jesca returns to the stage alone for the encore, rueing urban existence in City Bird before ending with a moving acapella delivery of Storms Make Grey The Sea, a folk-tinged number from her 2011 Snowglobe EP. This evening may have been the first live experience of Jesca Hoop for many of us, but we certainly hope it will not be the last. Come back soon.

Support came from local act Ben Male, a singer songwriter with a big voice, performing songs from his recently released album Momentary. Many will remember Ben from last year's Next Big Thing competition at Open. Although titles like The Drugs Will Kill You may strike fear into the heart of any self-respecting pharmacist, those who enjoy singers like Guy Garvey (Elbow) will instantly warm to Ben's chemistry. Top man.