Live Review

Faith & The Muse – Dingwalls, Camden

• 3rd Nov 2009

Treats come in all shapes and sizes and in many forms. For this cold November evening in Camden it is the headline act all the way from the US, with an ensemble of at least 9 people, all decked out in a variety of fabulous garments, make up and hair styles. Get ready for “Faith and the Muse”.

How to describe the variety of music this band play, and the constant changing about the tiny stage at Dingwalls that they have to do to bring on new instruments as they pass through a long set list of ethereal, eastern, gothic and tribal music is one that does not come easy.

With a couple of mute divas entering the stage in white garb and pale face make up you get a very soothing and relaxed open to the evening before the remainder of the clan take the stage behind bass, guitar, violin, cello, drums (an assortment of which they have with them!) and various other instruments. F&TM then proceed to play a wide berth of crossed genres from more rock based music to the very relaxed ambient music.

There are solo spotlights for various of the performers, but what is very interesting is the drum only piece performed by half the band each behind a different drum, and lead the way by Mr William Faith himself. Tribal, yet organised is what it is and it’s impressive to hear close up.

Dingwalls isn’t the largest of venues in London but they do manage to get in some very superior acts and this also helps to create a more intimate feel with the performers that are there. Once on this stage you literally have the crowd standing next to you, so it’s a case of do or die. Faith and the Muse know how to “DO” and they do it with grace and wonderful style.