What might have felt like an inspired idea left me somewhere in the middle ground on what to think of this Death Songbook. Brett Anderson is best known as the frontman of Suede; Charles Hazlewood is best known for his classical conducting and documentaries in the field. Here at Llais 2022, they are joined by the Paraorchestra and Welsh talent Gwenno.
With a selection of old Suede songs, plus covers of David Bowie and Depeche Mode, I went along with this eccentric mix of musicians that are Death Songbook. The brief time Gwenno was on stage was a joy: her charged remarks about Westminster still in the mind, her voice a real sensual treat. Her haunting duet with Brett for The End Of The World made for a sweet encounter. I craved more of Gwenno, who is really making a name for herself in both Wales and beyond.
For me, the big debate is whether Brett can actually sing. I feel there is a mass of pop singers who attempt such bold dynamics without considering the melody nor actually holding a tune. He’s done this for years (as proven with Suede) and I remain tired of it. His tall, black-clothed presence remained unintimidating as he slinked across the stage. The Paraorchestra are a group of instrumentalists with varying disabilities who have banded together to make amazing music. Personally, I found the blend woodwind-heavy for these songs, but they impressed nevertheless. Hazlewood, who now sports an all-in mustache, leads them all below his Celeste and other keyboards, a non-stop business for the entire show.
This Llais concert could be described as an acquired taste: it contained some fine moments and nice live video work, but I got the feeling it tried too much, to the point of spoiling things. Even the promise of an encore for this rowdy audience was floated, then discarded, as Anderson lingered on stage as if suggesting we would get one.
Death Songbook: Brett Anderson & Charles Hazlewood, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 29 Oct
words JAMES ELLIS photos KIRSTEN MCTERNAN
