When I heard she was going to be playing some alternative arrangements with a band and in a relatively small venue with no barriers, I had to be there.

Opening for Tor was dancer Stephanie McMann, interpreting some dark and at times menacing music. It was different. While she left some of the audience bemused. I found her performance held my interest. But I don’t have the understanding of dance to interpret if her dance was good.

Tor’s band consisted of a drummer, laying down low key alt-folk type beats, and a bassist. Tor at times played guitar too. The format allowed her to always be front and centre. Her presence and voice, always the centre of my attention. The band allowed her to focus on the vocal performance and not ‘a performance’. I think at times she was finding limiting her performance to the front of the stage constraining. But the interactions you get between artists are what makes each performance unique. Tor joking, that she might be done for false advertising given that clearly she wasn’t Billy Nomates and so disowned her friends on stage to keep everything legal.

It is these little moments I think I have wanted. The backing tracks were still there. They were stripped back with the bass and drums adding a new dimension to songs we know well. But the interactions felt natural. Having backing vocals, rather backing tracks worked. The songs breathed a bit more and Tor is such a good performer, it has always seemed like she was a front person without a band, but tonight, she was a great front person.

Tonight’s set list was a mixture of new material from her forthcoming album, mixed with some older reworked material. I assume the new material is being recorded with this new setup. The new material sounded strong.

Tor shouldn’t play with a band to keep somebody like me happy. She has to create the art she wants and keeps her happy. She definitely shouldn’t listen to people (always guys) who think her performing on her own, isn’t live music, or people like me who enjoy her set but think she holds her performance back by not having a band. The reaction to her Glastonbury set was unacceptable. Her approach has always been right for her and has to continue to be what’s right for her. As I’ve still never seen her play a small venue on her own. I can’t judge if this was a ‘better performance’. Compared to her festival performances. I preferred tonight. I did think on the way home, would Billy Withmates stand out on a festival bill? For me, definitely. What is unique about Tor is her stunning voice. Tonight, it was right there front and centre without the distraction of her trying to fill the stage. But what do I know and why should she care? As long as she enjoys performing, that’s the important thing.

Set List

• Balance is Gone
• Only I Bleed
• Knives
• No
• Mind Is A Mystery
• Peter
• Emily
• Vertigo
• Blue Bones
• The Test
• Fawner
• Spite

I was looking forward to see how HMLTD would bring this to the stage. Given they decided to play two nights at the ICA. I was hoping this meant some element of staging and possibly the choir. Disappointingly, this was a band-only performance. Although dressed in appropriate cosplay like attire. (Matching many in the audience). This meant some of the sonics had to be scaled back.

Luckily, HMLTD are a great live band. Henry seemed to enjoy playing the part of the album’s hero. Complete with a gauntlet and hero flouncy shirt. He launching himself energetically into making his part come to life. His performance went from full-on stage musical with big gestures, to full-on rock, sliding around the stage on his knees. It was a very effecting performance. In part making up for the sonics lost from the album.

As good as the performance was. I was left wanting more. I want the full-on prog experience. I want the choir and string section and stage show. Maybe it will happen one day? But this was a fine effort at bringing this big sounding album to an audience and making it such a fun evening. They have to be applauded for deciding to take such a risk.

Support was from Heartworms who are rapidly gaining a reputation as the next big thing. Like at the 100 Club, there’s something interesting about the band. The singer seems to have dropped the militaria, and picked up a edgy haircut that much better suits their sound. The use of the theremin is unique at the moment. Like at the 100 Club, they didn’t make enough use of it. I can see why many are raving about them. Definitely one to catch at festivals.