The KNDS Fairey Brass Band - Wallace and Gromit: the Wrong Trousers
While watching the film the events begin to get very intense and the music performance reflects that perfectly, the music built and changed with each character’s role in the story. The evil Feathers McGraw was backed by music that was reminiscent of Darth Vader in Star Wars, linking the iconic villains together seamlessly.
The band is famous and successful, dating back around ninety years with pioneering events in the brass music industry that created the possibility for showings of films to be played alongside live music. The atmosphere was friendly and the conductor interacted well with the large audience. A beautiful display of light illuminated the room with each piece.
Tthe band performed a variety of other pieces from concertos to the popular song ‘Golden’ from Netflix movie K-pop Demon Hunters in an instrumental brass twist. The variety of different styles performed, along with beautiful solos meant that there was not a moment of boredom.
It was clear that this was an event for all ages, keeping every single person enjoying the unique sound of brass instruments. I believe that with the historic site of the Cathedral, the show was truly unique and I am so grateful to have gotten to witness it.
Emelia C “Up on their feet and dancing in the aisles”
As the crowd took their seats in the sweltering Guildhall, lit by the light of the beautiful stained-glass windows, Kasai Masai’s frontman Nickens Nkoso joked about how they had bought the hot weather with them.
The traditional Congolese Soukous band arrived on stage to rapturous applause and although the band are used to much larger crowds, such as at the Womad Festival, the intimate space seemed perfect for them to engage with the audience for a more personal vibe. The group created a soundscape, involving complex, harmonic melodies that mesmerised the audience with each song building gradually until it was impossible to resist tapping your feet. While the lyrics, written in various languages including Swahili and Lingala, were lost on most of the audience, in some ways this helped us focus on the rhythms and melodies, and the dancing.
Highlights of the show included tracks such as ‘Fatou’, ‘Sunshine Music’ and ‘Se Ke Bien’ which hypnotised with their layered melodies. The minimalist stage production helped the audience to focus on the band and their rich music, while Nickens Nkoso engaged with his dancing and rhythmic singing, not to mention his incredible colourful shirt. After a short interval, the band returned to play the final half of their set, featuring more upbeat songs, which got the once reserved audience up on their feet and dancing in the aisles. As the band left the stage their melodies echoed around the room, a truly unforgettable performance.
Summer A 43
“They were wearing their souls on the outside”
On the 13th of July I saw Sleeping Beauty by Ballet Cymru at Lichfield Cathedral. I really liked the venue because the Cathedral looked like a castle and the atmosphere was calm and simple. Making this a picture-perfect venue.
My favourite character was Maleficent because her dance choreography showed her moving with evil intent, while her facial expressions showed the malice, hatred, and anger in her soul. I really enjoyed the solo performances near the end of the show. I thought the yellow fairy was amazing with her colossal, energetic, flamboyant leaps and twirls across the stage. She was at one with the music and it had me on the edge of my seat.
The music throughout changed depending on who was dancing. There was spooky and ominous music for Maleficent and when Aurora was dancing the music was flamboyant and fast-paced. Aurora’s costume was floaty and carefree like her, whereas Maleficent’s costume was dark, sad, and livid. I had a great time and would definitely do it again.
Thea J
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
ENTERTAINMENT YOUNG CRITICS
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