| Mumford and Sons with Laura Marling: St George's Hall Bradford |
 For many years the live music scene in Bradford has failed to tempt bands and artists of a certain size away from the well trodden paths of neighbouring Leeds and Manchester. Despite the hard work of individuals and collectives, the uphill struggle to get Bradford's pin on the tour managers map continues. So when word spreads that an established artist has decided to stop for a curry and a singsong in the city, they are inevitably rewarded
with a new level of affection and ownership by the Bradford masses and their eclectic tastes - yep, even Peter Andre.It was unsurprising that the Dharohah Project collaboration with Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons for one of two very exclusive national performances had ensured a packed-to-the-rafters full house. Perversely, but I hope understood by other Bradfordians, it was a treat to see touts on duty outside, just like any other city. The Dharohah Project were on first, giving a flavour of their uniquely accessible sound, bringing south east Asian rhythms to their new spiritual home and chiming perfectly with the music and performance scene promoted by arts organisations like Kala Sangam in Bradford. Laura Marling followed with a performance no doubt already awash with clichés of spellbinding and pitch perfect, but her mainly a one-woman show, proved that not only is she a 'really good whistler' (her words) but also a shero songwriter/performer that can strip her songs down to the core to create a tight, intimate sound. Photos: Edwinn I was struck by how unassuming the Mighty Mumfords presence is on stage. For a band that seem to have been everywhere this year, they sounded fresh, raw and excited. Their grand sounds and appearance were befitting of the Victorian character of St George’s Hall and their energetic romp left a room full of smiling faces. The treats continued. Mumford & Sons joined Marling and their Indian muses to recreate the sounds that had been developed during their time in Delhi at the end of 2009. Despite professions from all involved that it was fairly under-rehearsed, the intimate jamming session turned into a full-scale fusion of sounds, techniques and flavours that topped the previous individual performances and proved the fully fledged success of the transcontinental crossover experiment. The sound and performance was so good, so inspiring and so uplifting that the peripheral negatives of the night contrasted fiercely. The cultural make up of the audience didn't reflect either the performers on stage or the city as a whole. Yes, maybe the face price of the tickets (£18) and the mainstream reputation of the venue is always going to draw a mainly white audience, but I would have preferred to see the vibrancy of the city reflected in the crowd to truly complement the performance. A city like Bradford should always be looking into itself for new styles and sounds, building on the unique fusions that already exist. For one night only we were taught a thing or two by this uniquely special coming together, and very special it was too. Words: Mable Starr |
