Watchhouse

Wednesday 15th May, Islington Assembly Hall, London, Mandolin Orange. It’s a big step up for this North Carolinian duo as last time I saw them a couple of years back they were here for a fabulous show in the 200 capacity Lexington. Tonight it’s the Assembly Hall with 900 people.

It’s my first show here since the venue had a new sound system installed. It’s a tough act to follow as the sound was always perfect already in what is my favourite mid-sized venue in London. Never over sold, great sound, good sightlines, best concert hall toilets in London but because of its listed status there is no air con which does make for uncomfortable viewing sometimes and the price of a beer is naughty at £6.45 for a pint of IPA.

Anyway back to the show. We made a special effort to get in early to see the super talented Michaela Anne. Just an artist and an acoustic guitar and a pure perfect voice. With the atmospheric lighting it created a perfect backdrop to her opening set.

Mandolin Orange join a long list of exceptional talent coming out of North Carolina at the moment including Caleb Caudle, Hiss Golden Messenger, Phil Cook and HC McEntire to name a few. Tonight Andrew Marlin, chief songwriter and Mr Mandolin and Emily Frantz are joined by a three piece backing band but they start the set in their usual two piece format.

As mentioned before the sound is immaculate, pin sharp and the unique sound of the mandolin fills the whole room and opener ‘Mother Deer’ from the new album ‘Tides of a Teardrop’ sets the scene for the next ninety minutes. It’s a sad song of course as the album is Martin’s reflection on the loss of his mother and there are many moving moments in what is a mandolin masterclass.

The set is drawn from across their albums and obvious highlights for me include one of my personal favourites ‘Wildfire’ and ‘Hey Stranger’ from the ‘Blindfaller’ album. There are a couple of really nice moments where a song or two is played ‘bluegrass’ style with the band crowded around one microphone and then for set closer totally unplugged with no amplification at all for a hair tingling finale. This is a band at the top of their game and it’s great to see them upgrading the venue to reach a richly deserved wider audience.

Till the next time keep on country rockin y’all

Saturday 4th February. The Lexington. Mandolin Orange. So it’s the fourth gig this week and I saved the best to last. I am new recruit to Mandolin Orange coming on board for the last two albums. They consist of singer songwriter, guitarist and mandolin player Andrew Marlin and guitarist, fiddle player and singer Emily Frantz. Hailing from North Carolina, I am beginning to think I should move there as NC is home to some of my favourite artists, The Avett Brothers, Ryan Adams and Hiss Golden Messenger and I can now include Mandolin Orange on that list.

In the immortal words of John Hiatt, “sure I like country music and I like mandolins” so it goes without saying that I will love this band.

After a great support slot from Dietrich Strause it’s onto the main act. A simple setup with just two microphones we settle down to a great night of acoustic country, bluegrass, Americana or folk whichever label you want to hang.

We are treated to 100 minutes of pure joy. Just two talented musicians performing unadorned by a big band or fancy staging playing great songs to a warm and appreciative crowd. Aside from the musicianship with each changing instruments throughout the set, the two voices blend perfectly together with each harmonising as the other takes lead.

The stories and tales and interaction between songs is warm, self-deprecating but most of all funny and natural. The crowd are fully engaged whooping for mandolin solos, foot stomping on some to provide a back beat or just sitting back and letting the warmth of the music envelop them like a comforting marshmallow pillow.

Highlights too many to mention as the quality is exceptionally high throughout but special mentions for ‘Little Worlds’ and ‘Hard Travellin’. I cannot wait to see these guys again.

Special mention to the venue. Once again the Lexington demonstrates that it’s the best small venue in London with great sound (although you might want the disco downstairs to be turned down a little until the music has finished in the top room).

A great night and keep on country rockin y’all

I wish I had the lyrical and harmonic skills of Mandolin Orange, as I would be able to write a review that does them justice. Stunning would be a word I could use, Spiritual is another. Their complex slow controlled harmonies are out of this world. Maybe they are aliens?

I had first heard them on CBS Saturday morning, and bought tickets as soon as I knew they were coming. However you get their music, the live experience is a destination resort! Whoever designed and controlled the lighting is a genius, and the lighting changes were so amazingly synced to the songs. It was subtle but powerful. I noticed people taking photos to just capture the lighting. So different from the usual ACL lighting.

I have to say that the guitar player made the hair stand up on my arms, and goosebumps (I'm a sucker for a great guitar) but when Andrew and (Joe?, arg, I cannot find the band members names!!) played together it was magical. I couldn't figure out how he could make the guitar play those thick rich notes, and stay synced with the mandolin. All the players, and Emily, were also amazing, and she is so multi-talented. I don't think I've seen musicians sharing the same guitar that much before. Their singing and playing are such a Shared Experience... between themselves, as well as With the audience.

Having seen many shows at ACL I could tell the standing fans were Really Music Lovers, as the level of noice during the songs was amazingly low. Clearly the respect the band was given was well earned.

I've seen them three times during their European Tour. Nijmegen was OK, Amsterdam very good and London excellent.
Overall they are confident with what they are doing and they are really growing as an act. In Nijmegen the flow of the show was somewhat broken, which wasn't the case in Amsterdam and London. I guess the start with Mother Deer works better for them.
There set list changes for every show, and very often they decide on the next song, based on the quality of the room, or the feedback from the audience. Although still quite young as an act, they have already a couple fo classics, like Wildfire, Gospel Shoes, Old Tides & Companions and Time After Time.
The full a-capella encore (Whistleblow) in both Amsterdam and London was breathtaking.
Andrew is a still an introvert poet, quite stoic, despite the memories to his mother. Emmy is just great, in everything. She has all the talent to become the strong frontwoman of Mandolin Orange.

It was by far one of the best concerts I've ever attended, as a former entertainment lawyer I can say without equivocation they are the most talented group in the industry. What a memorable evening, it was one of the best times I remember having in a very long time. Andrew and Emily are extremely talented and the harmony of voices along with the acoustic guitar and Mandolin is fabulous. Andrew writes not only beautiful music but poetic, the only other musician that I can compare with regard to poetic lyrics is Bob Dylan. This group has brought the greatest inspiration to the deepest parts of my existence. God's Peace Mandolin Orange! Bobby Joyner

I can't say enough good about this show and this group. They clearly enjoy what they do. That joy spills over to the audience. They are amazing talented musicians. I really enjoyed the full band as well. I was skeptical as to what it would do to their "sound" but the musicians they have touring with them were perfect. They didn't overpower the sound, they simply enhanced it.

The venue was nice as well. Large open space, acoustics were nice as well. The staff was friendly for the most part. I would definitely see more shows here.

The band was great! We watched the show from the front row of the balcony. Great view! But, it was hard to see the band. The lighting was very poor. None of the lights focused on the band. My guess is that the lighting tech. arrived late and used presets from some other show. Mandolin Orange sold out the Bluebird. One would think that a band that sells out a venue, would at the very least deserve to have a good lighting show. Not the case at the Bluebird. Sound was good. Band was great! Lighting was horrible.

The opening act was amazing, although the people in the back of the venue seemed not to care as they kept talking loudly throughout her whole act. Despite their antics, though, she was amazing and offered up some great music to kick of the show. Mandolin Orange was amazing! Truly a very talented group of young artists. They were funny when needed, quiet when needed, and all around just awesome musicians and singers. Keep up the good work, Mandolin Orange!

The Omeara is a very intimate small venue just off of London Bridge busy with lots of bars and places to eat and a perfect venue for Mandolin Orange the pair work so well together musically and there mellow sound fitted perfectly in the tiny surrounds unbelievable mandolin playing and a fantastic night well appreciated by the audience watch out for this band and venue again

This was a magical gig. Surpassed all my expectations. Beautiful vocals, effortless, intelligent and emotional. For two musicians to produce such a full and accomplished sound deserves praise and recognition. I couldn't believe the beautiful performance of 'Amsterdam' a Gregory Allan Isakov tune. If you guys come back to Glasgow I promise to bring as many people to see you.