Lanterns on the Lake are new to me. I have heard of them before and I feel sure that they used to provide 
support to Robin Williamson, formerly of the wonderful Incredible String Band, some time ago. Since then, they have clearly built up their own following and this was clearly evident by the number of people who turned out to see them in the large hall of the Glasshouse. In fact, it was very full for their performance.
For some reason I always try and compare bands I witness to other artists. In the case of Lanterns on the Lake I found this quite difficult to do. This band perform exquisite music which crosses many genres: folk rock, progressive rock and indie rock. They are all of these, and more. Do they remind me of Any other bands? Fairport Convention perhaps? Curved Air? Neither of these really. Lanterns on the Lake have their own sound, and have built up a very strong fan base. They are, of course, a local band who hail from Newcastle.
In their own words: ‘Of course we enjoy every gig we play on tour but it always leads up to the most special night of them all – our hometown show. The Glasshouse has been a big part of our journey as a band. We’ll be looking forward to that Friday night in December, playing songs new and old and sharing it with the people who have been on this journey with us since the very beginning’
Lanterns on the Lake have just released a new album Versions of Us. About the album: “The nine songs on Versions of Us are existential meditations examining life’s possibilities, facing the hand we’ve been dealt and the question of whether we can change our individual and collective destinies. Each song’s journey is matched beautifully by the band’s performances. The grumbling, staticky synths of “Rich Girls” cede to an ascending, spine-tingling bridge of sinuous guitar and bass.
“Vatican” pivots on a bluesy, midnight-black riff from ever-inventive Paul Gregory and a muted bassline from Bob Allan on a song about love’s quiet reliability. “Real Life” hares down from the traps, aquaplaning on the surface tension of its fuzzing guitars and chiming central hook – a blast of indie rock on an album full of musical high-watermarks for the band.”
Front person Hazel Wilde is lead singer, guitarist and keyboard player. She provides wonderful meandering vocals soaring upward at times and searing across the loud chords and solos of her electric guitar. For this tour the band feature two drummers, one being none other than Radiohead’s Philip Selway. The remainder of the band are bass player Bob Allen who thrashes and bashes away at his instrument throwing it to the ground at the end of the concert, guitarist Paul Gregory and Angela Chan who plays electric violin reminiscent of Darryl Way from Curved Air (at least in my prog rock mind).
An excellent introduction to a new band that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing. Do check about if you get the chance. Thanks to Elaine for the photographs and Chris for manipulating the site.
Setlist: The Likes of Us; Real Life; Every Atom; Baddies; Blue Screen Beams; When It All Comes True; Rich Girls; Vatican; Through the Cellar Door; Locust; The Saboteur; Thumb of War; Swimming Lessons.
Encore: String Theory; Ships in the Rain; Last Transmission.
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