Gig review: The Unthanks at Royal Albert Hall

I don't remember going to the Albert Hall in Nottingham before, though I know I did go there when I was younger. I was intrigued by this event: The Unthanks were back in Nottingham at the Hall for their pre-Christmas concert, promoting their new In Winter album. You can read our recent interview with Becky Unthank here.

Entering the hall, the staff gave me a brief history of the layout, a false floor now filling the space where once you looked down on the lower congregation. Along with the Malt Cross, this must be one of Nottingham's hidden gems of a venue. Behind the array of instruments set out carefully on stage was a giant gold and wood church organ and the vaulted ceiling and tiers showed an impressive structure.

Starting off with a solo of In Winter's Night, Adrian McNally gently set the mood, lost in the space of the hall, alone in the darkness and storms of winter. In Winter, despite coming out at this time of year and being definitely grounded in Christmas, nevertheless focuses on the season of winter and echoes the deeper and ancient concerns of wintertime, survival and togetherness.

Having painted this picture, the rest of the band filed on stage and took up their positions with a rendition of O Tannenbaum followed by Dark December. Nature's harshness at this time of year being at the forefront, but the band brought both a sadness and hope to the songs.

One thing about this evening was that the performance was very much a two-way event. Rachel and Becky happily chatted about, and with, the band, the reasons behind the songs and encouraged everyone to join in singing towards the end of the night. Welcoming everyone, they introduced the Gower Wassail,
an event recalling the townsfolk visiting households who would present them with gifts, including, hopefully, alcohol. There were some very nice wassail mugs for sale too. Good health!

Adrian played a version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, before seamlessly drifting into The Cherry Tree
Carol, probably the most obviously religious song of the evening.

Another chat about the story behind Nurse Emmanuel, and then Rachel rushed off stage. "Shall we carry on without her? the others asked: the song itself a beautiful tune, full of sorrow, sacrifice and hope, with words from poet Vanessa Lampert, dedicated to the NHS. A mournful Oh Come All Ye Faithful, the music initially conjured up images of people trudging to church through duty and fear, before the vocals opened to give hope and joy. More carols for all beasts and birds, with Rachel rejoining the stage and the use of a wonderful saxophone from Faye MacCalman bringing an almost Eastern Mediterranean feel to Carol of the Beasts as she opened up and brought sounds from the instrument that only free jazz can do. All too soon the first interval was upon us.

The second half concentrated on a deeper folk flavour, still interspersed with carols. You got a real feel of the Northumbrian winter months and spending time with family. Once again Adrian provided the introduction with In the Bleak Midwinter, a classical rendition but accessible, with Rachel and Becky then joining, with The Snow it Melts The Soonest, a song the band learnt for a school competition. I believe it is a ballad, no matter what they were told. The feel this song cultivated of hillside or coast, in harsh weather is something we rarely experience in our centrally heated homes and air conditioned cars. This is something In Winter unconsciously touches on over and over again, the chasm between the traditional world, of those dependant on the land, and now, the commercial image of a forced joy, gluttonous consumption, backed up with the same dozen or so "Christmas songs". and famous people only talking about themselves.

Despite, or maybe because, this album has had a long gestation period, it draws on personal losses, shared tragedies and a look at how these have intermixed with the music the band members grew up with - family being a constant reference.

Bleary Winter was noticeably different being a cover, but no less amazing as The Unthanks added their own magic. As such it fitted comfortably into the mix tonight.

Becky apologised for not playing any of their older favourites, though in reality not all of those on the album are new, some being reworkings of older songs, and it was good to hear them afresh. In Winter, live, was about the collective, the songs, the band and the audience. The interplay guaranteed tonight would be unique, even if they have played the same set on the tour. Delicate and intricate violin work from Niopha and cello from Rachel added yet further layers in this set.

The Holly and the Ivy was a very different version and required careful attention, rewarding me with recognition and appreciation that you can take a well known song and make it into something new.  Tonight the songs became monastic chants. Murmers. Echoes of pasts and calls to the future. They were otherworldly. River River drew on this theme whilst at the same time being a perfect Unthanks song.

Rachel delighted everyone with her clog dancing just before they sang Tar Barrel in Dale, a song written by their dad and recalling hometown winter events. This was probably the most recognisably "folk" song of the evening. A perfect song for the end of the year. Encouraging everyone to join the chorus which naturally we did and the hall was filled with Northumbrian joy. The encore which needed little encouragement was Dear Companions; the chorus, "For this time we have together, will live on in songs we sing" could not be truer.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

The Unthanks performed at the Albert Hall on 10th December 2024.

@theunthanksband