fri 29/03/2024

Esben and the Witch, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton | reviews, news & interviews

Esben and the Witch, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton

Esben and the Witch, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton

Doomy trio shyly muster up the menace of their album

Esben and the Witch, far from the average indie band

It seems to me that Esben and the Witch would like to perform in absolute darkness. Or perhaps in silhouette behind a screen like an oriental shadowplay. Such a theatrical device might even suit their dark, menacing music. Instead, two of the three band members have to make do with a curtain of hair between themselves and the audience. Young and shy, they deliver their moody, occasionally explosive music with low-key confidence and, in fact, their slight awkwardness in front of a crowd only enhances the edginess of the atmospherics.

It seems to me that Esben and the Witch would like to perform in absolute darkness. Or perhaps in silhouette behind a screen like an oriental shadowplay. Such a theatrical device might even suit their dark, menacing music. Instead, two of the three band members have to make do with a curtain of hair between themselves and the audience. Young and shy, they deliver their moody, occasionally explosive music with low-key confidence and, in fact, their slight awkwardness in front of a crowd only enhances the edginess of the atmospherics.

If I had one complaint it was that it wasn't loud enough. This sort of music works best when it overwhelms you with its clarity and volume

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