Daughter are definitely a band to watch. They have been quietly gathering pace over the past year, touted by Lauren Laverne on 6 Music, supporting Ben Howard on tour and producing
two beautiful EPs. The haunting vocals of Elena Tonra (joined by Igor on guitar and Remi on drums although they mix up their instruments quite a bit) lit up the Islington Assembly Halls last night as Daughter played their last live show before hitting the festivals this summer and hopefully recording a full album.
The band discreetly arrived on stage and kicked off with their song 'Run'. From the off it was obvious just how strong Elena's voice was and the venue could not have been more accommodating to her beautiful melodies. It is rare at a gig to hear the audience in stunned silence to the point where you could have heard a pin drop but such was the effect when they played 'Love' and 'Landfill' and particularly when Elena went solo on track 'The Woods'.
There was a mutual understanding in the room that we were lucky to be there and the majority of the gig found the audience gazing up in awe at the sheer talent we were witnessing. Igor was an exceptional guitarist and drove the energy on the stage. The crowd livened up on 'Youth' and I definitely saw some audience particpation when they played 'Candles' .
Even when they showcased a new song and stopped after the first verse because the key was slightly out this didn't matter. After a quick chat and a re-tune Elena set off again like a consummate professional. Pitch perfect, unnerved and so wonderful. There is a Florence Welch type innocence about Elena: shy and a tad nervous when interacting with the crowd it is obvious she can't quite believe her luck that something she likes doing so much (writing beautiful songs and singing them with her bandmates) has gathered a following and there seemed to be a sort of amazement that we were all there to see her. However the nerves subsided when the music played and this is when she seemed most at home - lost in her own little world of hauntingly beautiful songs.
If you like your music folky and mesmerising and you want to listen to something really special then check out Daughter at various festivals this summer and buy the EP's. You won't be disappointed.
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