Anathema is back on tour in support of their newest album « Weather Systems » (2012), as well as their live album « Untouchable » (2013), and orchestral DVD « Universal » (2013). I had the pleasure of sitting down with multi-talented vocalist and musician Vincent Cavanagh prior to this past Monday’s show at Foufounes Électriques to reflect on the band’s 20 year career and evolution.
After a much-anticipated wait since Danny and Vincent Cavanagh graced the stage of Le National in May of 2011 in a mesmerizing acoustic set in support of Steven Wilson’s Blackfield, Anathema swung back into town guns blazing.
“It was a very poignant and beautiful occasion for many different reasons,” commented Vincent, once we’d settled down to chat, “and I think I promised the audience that night that we would return, and thankfully, here we are, (laughs)”.
The current band line up consists of siblings Jamie, Vincent, and Danny Cavanagh, brother and sister duo John and Lee Douglas, and keyboardist Daniel Cardoso. Although on tour as a full band, there was one key member missing from Monday’s line-up.
“Our usual drummer John is dealing with family stuff at home, and so our usual keyboard player switched to drums,” elaborated Vincent by way of explanation. “This guy, Daniel Cardoso, is a multi-talented musician, and is an amazing drummer. So, he switched to drums, and we also have his best friend and musical collaborator of many years, Tobel Lopes on bass as session for this tour. So you still have me, Danny, and Lee, but it’s a stripped-down version of the band, really, and a stripped-down version of the crew, the production, and the whole thing.”
‘Stripped down’ or not, there is no doubting Anathema’s dedication to both their fans and their music. With 11 studio releases under their belt, along with numerous DVDs and singles, the band has seen a transformative shift from a gothic sound in their earlier albums, to atmospheric rock in their more recent endeavours.
Their newest release, live DVD Universal, was recorded with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra in the ancient Roman Theatre of Phillippoplis. Not the average opportunity, assuredly, but also not the average musical ensemble.
« Bulgaria was the top of the list because we first played there in 2010, and people had been waiting a long time to see us. By the time we went there, the reaction was stunning; it was just incredible. So, that was top of the list of places.
« Summer nights, they have concerts with rock bands, and they make a big event out of it with thousands of people, etc. and ‘would we like to play?’ Absolutely! So it was orchestra, ancient Roman theatre, with the perfect audience. Okay, we’re making a film. »
The Montreal show organized by BCI (that we thank for their close collaboration with Ondes Chocs) and most recent North American tour featured French shoegazer black metallers Alcest in the penultimate set slot, and American ambient soundscape aficionados Mamiffer opening the evening.
While I’d been sitting downstairs in Foufs waiting to meet Vincent for my interview, I saw a Facebook posting indicating that Alcest would be playing the headlining shot, since they were delayed somewhere on route to our grand city. Vincent elaborated for me upstairs.
« Fortunately, the most important thing is that everybody’s okay, but in between New York and Cambridge, they were driving in the middle of the night, and a deer crossed the road and hit the side of the van. The van is written off, but everybody in the van was okay. So they had to change vehicles, and it’s been a huge process for them. »
By the end of my interview, I was effervescent with excitement to catch all three bands. I’ve been a fan of Alcest for some years, and Anathema had been aging like a fine wine on my taste buds for over a decade. Mamiffer, however, I walked into blind.
I was absolutely intrigued by singer and mastermind Faith Coloccia’s stage presence from the opening ethereal wafting tunes, and instantly wished I’d given the band a listen or seven on disc before experiencing them live. True, often bands can blow one away in a live setting with or without prior reflection, however having listened to this group post-concert on disc and falling in love, I really think the ghostly melodies would have caressed my sweet spots all the more gently having first witnessed the majesty beforehand. I can’t wait to see them again when the opportunity arises. I wasn’t able to get my hands on a set list, but I’m giving the full catalogue a spin and truly digging it! Just clik this link to get into their world.
Anathema came on to the stage with a roar of applause. The excitement in the room was almost tangible, and there was barely room to stand in Foufs’ already-tight surroundings. I must say though, that although I’ve seen many a show at this venue over the years, I’ve never heard sound quality and resonance at a calibre matching that which I heard that evening. I’m not a sound technician or a musician, but I can affirm from the roots of my soul that this was the best sound I’ve ever heard in this venue.
The band commenced their set with Weather Systems’ “Untouchables 1&2”, and I am not even a little bit embarrassed to say that tears came to my eyes more than once! Vocal duo Vincent and Lee were absolutely mesmerizing. My ears couldn’t even comprehend the beauty of Lee’s feminine vocals. She had the voice of an angel whose toes had dipped into the sultry pools of hell. What a phenomenally romantic and beautiful segway into the evening’s set.
After thunderous applause, we were blessed with “The Gathering of the Clouds” and “Lightning Song”; giving fans about half of Weather Systems in one go. The stage presence alone of this band struck a chord within me that their strings already strummed on my brain.
Let’s just say that I’m a believer, and completely satisfied. Other songs on the set list: “Thin Air” off We’re Here Because We’re Here, as well as “Dreaming Light” from the same 2010 album. Next, we heard “Deep”, a flash from the past on 1999’s Judgement. “A Simple Mistake” took us again to We’re Here…, and Natural Disaster’s eponymous hit brought us back to 2003. We had “Closer” from the same disc as encore, and lastly “Fragile Dreams” from Alternative 4.
With such a large catalogue, I know it’s tough to showcase a bit of everything as well as feature tunes from a band’s newest record, so all in all, I was very pleased with the set list.
Alcest was next, as the afore-mentioned headliner for the Montreal show, given their van accident with American wildlife en route to our vivacious ville. If the band was stressed or upset, you wouldn’t have known it. One might think it would be hard to one-up a legendary band like Anathema, but as far as I could see and tell, no one left after former band’s set, and the sound remained absolutely ear candy-esque throughout Alcest’s set.
The concert was a majestic, magical evening, all in all. The highlight was Anathema for this writer, but Alcest blew me out of the water, and Mamiffer earned a new fan. I look forward to seeing what all three bands produce in the future, and devouring it like the sticky toffee delight it already is.
Note: If anyone has set lists for the other bands, feel free to comment so everyone who couldn’t be there can see! J
Jenny
