Darlingside

Friday 22nd November, Omeara, London, Darlingside. Gig three out of four this week is with the Boston based band Darlingside underneath the arches at London Bridge venue Omeara which is fast becoming a favourite small venue of mine. They are consistently booking great and musically diverse acts such as Midland, Simone Felice, Strand of Oaks, Lera Lynn, and Chris Shiflett to name a few who have all put on fine shows in this intimate faux bordello.

Onto the show. It’s a minimal set with four microphones closely set together in sort of the shared one microphone bluegrass style. From the opening bars of recent album title track ‘Extralife’ it was immediately obvious we were in for a treat. It’s a semi unplugged show with banjo, cello, acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin with a bit of electric bass and guitar thrown in. Whilst they are all super talented musicians it’s when they collectively open their mouths that really knocks you back. The audience too are open mouthed in awe of the sound they we are hearing. There is no real lead singer on most tracks as they are all singing every word in the most beautiful four part close harmony. Think Beach Boys, the Byrds but in the range of say Elliot Smith.

The lighting tonight complements the sound with its subtle changes in colour and tone to match the music perfectly. The set pull tracks from across their catalogue with some ‘nearly new’ songs thrown in to boot. Their on stage presence and interaction is charming and amusing and the ten minute introduction of the band by Auyon Mukharji as he explains the history of Thanksgiving is funny. For example, I never knew Abraham Clinton was responsible for this holiday…. sorry Lincoln. Embracing the quirks of our country they also regale us with stories about the exotic English food they have sampled including toad in the hole and aubergine.

As is seemingly the norm these days the band decant from the stage and join us in the centre of the crowd for a sweet unplugged number that is so delicate in its simplicity and only proves, you don’t need auto tune, effects pedals or the like to produce the most sublime music.

It’s all over too quickly as we are kicked out for I guess some club night but I don’t walk back to the station but float and glide on a magic carpet of musical fulfilment.

Highlights tonight start at the opening track right through to the last bar, the last strum, the last word of the last song. Gig of the week yes, gig of the year quite possibly.

Till the next time keep on harmonically rockin y’all

I traveled 2 1/2 hours to see Darlingside, who happened to be opening for The Milk Carton Kids. Since I was mainly interested in seeing Darlingside, I worried their setlist might be a bit short; however, I was very happy with their more than an hour-long performance. The Boston alt-rock/folk quartet played a diverse mixture from their full length albums Birds Say and Extralife as well as songs off their two EPs Whippoorwill and Look Up and Fly Away. My favorite moment was when the band walked away from their mics and relied on the acoustics of The Jefferson Theater to carry their voices in their rendition of "Heart Again." I was disappointed that I did not record this part of the show. The song is so new that you cannot yet find an acoustic performance of it on the Internet. I hope Darlingside continues this tradition of singing one of their songs without the mics. The show was well worth the price of admission, and I'd gladly pay that price again, even if it were just to see an unmiked performance of Heart Again or one of their other songs.

Darlingside is one of those bands you just have to see live. This was my fifth time seeing them as they came through New York and every time it's an experience that just can't be replicated on tape. There's no bottling the warmth of their harmonies, the electricity of their chemistry on stage, and their familial banter with the audience, as if we are all old friends gathered for an acoustic set in someone's parent's basement. Sure enough, the band debuted a new song by joining the middle of the crowd gathered at the Bowery Ballroom with no microphone and no instruments other than one acoustic guitar. There was a total hush to hear them sing and it was magical. I will be sure to catch them next time they come through New York, and ever time after.

Another stellar performance by Darlingside last night at the Chandler where a very appreciative crowd was on their feet before the last notes died away calling for more.
The band's intelligent and inspired lyrics combined with their heavenly harmonies and super instrumentals inspire images and evoke so much emotion in this fan. (Yeah...I tear up)
Their camaraderie is evident in their humorous banter between songs. This band has it all. I dare you not to fall in love with them!

This was our second Darlingside show in the past year, and I suggest you see them before they stop playing smaller venues. Amazing four part harmonies, and in this case, six singers when they merged with their opening act. Fantastic, humorous banter between tunes, punctuated by stellar songwriting and music arrangement. One of the best acts I've seen in the last few years. Well played gentlemen. Beautiful.

I've seen these guys live twice now, and they were wonderful both times! Beautiful songs to begin with, and performed with emotion and beautiful harmonies! I was right up front when I saw them with Brandi Carlisle, and was able to see literal smoke coming from Auyon Mukharji's violin during one particularly intense segment! Definitely go if you get the chance!

Incredible free concert. My second time seeing these guys live, they are quite the group of craftsman and artists. They are excellent musicians, and their voices blend in a really special way. Utterly unique group. Their in-between-song banter also happens to be hilarious. I would highly recommend seeing them live if you get the chance.

These guys are awesome. Amazing stage presence and clear love of performing. Their vocal harmonies are absolutely amazing. A+ banter between songs. Really sorry to hear that they were robbed in Memphis, but their positive attitude despite such a shitty situation makes me respect them that much more. Keep being awesome guys.

Fantastically whimsical and amazingly talented! Their harmonies are on point, their “in between” song moments were delightful. Clean, pure, and simple....they rest on their talent and lyrics rather than hype and gimmicks. Absolutely a joy to see live...and I would go again and again!

Fantastic show at Union Chapel from this four piece. Exquisite harmonies, multi-instrumentalists, original songs and excellent between song banter including an in depth insight into British cheese. Genuinely warm and convivial indie folk.