Gig Review: Deaf Havana @ 02 Forum – 24/02/17

The past six years have seen Deaf Havana play Reading and Leeds numerous times, headline 2000 Trees Festival and support Bruce Springsteen. After taking a much-needed break after the release and touring of 2013’s ‘Old Souls’ they have just burst back onto the scene with their fourth album ‘All These Countless Nights’.

The first time I saw Deaf Havana perform live was at the Audio in Brighton back in 2011, just before the release of their second album ‘Fools and Worthless Liars’. Last Friday I got to see them perform on the final show of their recent UK tour, a sold-out show at London’s 02 Forum, and the experience was a far cry from that club gig six years ago.

Opening their set with album opener ‘Ashes, Ashes’ accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar you could immediately hear the enthusiasm from the audience as the voices in the crowd powered over James Veck-Gilodi’s vocals. Once the first chorus kicked in it set the tone for the rest of the night and you could tell it was going to be special. 

The set list was topped heavy with tracks from ‘All These Countless Nights’, so much so that just four more songs and the album in its entirety would have been performed. It’s clear that singles ‘Trigger’ and ‘Fever’ have quickly become fan favourites. Both of which the band delivered with infectious amounts of energy, proving that they not only know how to write a fantastic record but they also know exactly how to translate their new songs live. 

With a whopping eighteen song set list they still left plenty of room for old favourites including; ‘22’, ‘I’m a Bore, Mostly’ and ‘Mildred’ which claimed to be some of the liveliest of the night.

Never one to hold back lyrically and unafraid to lay himself bare, ‘St Paul’s, ‘Anemophobia’ and ‘Happiness’ captured just that as the latter saw Veck-Golidi reflect on past struggles with alcohol and the affect it’s had on personal relationships, in what was one of the most emotional songs of the night.
  

Ending the set with ‘Hunstanton Pier’ was a cathartic moment. As the song drew to a close the crowd were ushered to sing the chorus back to the band a final time, not only did it sound magnificent but you could tell just how overwhelmed each member of the band was by what was happening. Throughout the night, they kept reinforcing the fact that London was home to them and it was clear that they were more than happy to be home.

Storming back onto the stage to close the night with an encore consisting of ‘Boston Square’, ‘SING’ and finally ending the show with ‘All These Countless Nights’ closing track ‘Pensacola, 2013’ saw the set finishing just as strongly as it began and only seemed to leave the audience wanting more.

Veck-Gilodi revealed that once the touring cycle of ‘Old Souls’ had ended Deaf Havana’s future was all but clear. Stating that ‘We didn’t know if we’d make another record, we didn’t know if we’d do another tour’ and admitting that their fans wanting them to return willed them to start writing what would eventually become ‘All These Countless Nights’, I think it’s safe to say that everyone in the room was beyond glad that they had decided to carry on. 

Matilda the Musical - Review

Matilda tells the tale of miracle Matilda, who can read books far beyond her years, her family however would much prefer it if she’d just be quiet and watch telly. Matilda soon finds herself starting school and coming face to face with the truly revolting Miss Trunchbull. While teacher, Miss Honey, tries to prove Matilda’s brilliance to the likes of her parents, Matilda and her school friends find themselves trying to survive the wrath of Miss Trunchbull. All while doing what’s most important – standing up for what’s right.

The performance was led by Sara Sheen as Matilda, she carried the show magnificently portraying Matilda with a strong righteous attitude, a big dose of mischief and an infectious personality. Sheen delivered some wonderful vocal performances throughout, including ‘Naughty’ and ‘Quiet’.

The absolute highlight of the show for me was the children’s ensemble. Just seeing the enthusiasm, energy and enjoyment each child put into their performance was enough to make me want to return to see the production time and time again. Max Brophy delivered a hilarious performance as Bruce Bogtrotter, particularly when Miss Trunchbull forced him to eat a humongous chocolate cake. The rest of the class cheering for him as he did inciting the first act’s closing song ‘Bruce’. Olivia Calladine-Smith delivered a wonderful performance as Lavender, my favourite moment taking place just before the second act of the story began when she ‘just couldn’t wait’ to tell us what was going to happen, but I won’t spoil that for you.

Michael Begley and Rebecca Thornhill are more than memorable as Matilda’s less than likeable parents, and Miria Parvin is heart-warming as school teacher Miss Honey delivering excellent vocal performances including the heart-wrenching ‘My House’.

Craige Els stole the show for me, portraying a hilarious and positivity terrifying Miss Trunchbull. Whether reminding Miss Honey and the children of the correct way to throw ‘The Hammer’, re-enforcing the fact that you should ‘always keep your feet inside the line’ or telling Bruce that he should have thought about it before he ‘made a pact with Satan’ and decided to steal her cake, Els’ had me laughing through every scene. When I wasn’t awfully scared, that is.

All in all, Matilda is a fantastic production that I honestly cannot praise enough. With both an adult and children cast bustling with talent, songs that will stay in your head for days to come (particularly the kids victorious anthem ‘Revolting Children’) and a heart-warming story that will constantly remind you ‘don’t let a little something like little stop you’ a night seeing Matilda is guaranteed to be a night you won’t forget.