The Paraorchestra was formed by Charles Hazlewood to create an opportunity for disabled musicians to have better opportunities to perform in the arts. Their performances at the Southbank are 360 performances where musicians are spread around the Clore ballroom and you are free to walk around and experience the different dynamics. With this approach, every member of the orchestra is equally important and it is fascinating to experience. Even for somebody like me who’s photographed ensembles close up, I love the experience of being able to walk around each performer and to see their different approaches to how they play their instrument and interpret the music.

Tonight they played Górecki’s Symphony No.3, Symphony of Sorrowful Songs. A Classic FM favourite and I must admit, one of mine. Victoria Oruwari did a fantastic job of singing this amazing piece.

If you get a chance to experience one of these 360 events. They are something special.

I wasn’t at the front for this gig as originally I was meant to be at LIFE’s in-store at Rough Trade and I was planning on sneaking during the support’s set. This gave me a different view of their performance. At the front, much of the performance is watching Florence’s tiny movements and changes in facial expressions. Something I assumed wouldn’t translate to being further back. But the focus of the performance switches to the other band members providing the swirling sound for the vocals. My focus was much more on their stage presence. I shouldn’t have worried. They clearly can handle big stages.

Support was from Mermaid Chunky who I didn’t like. It was all very art-school stagey and their music didn’t appeal to me.

• Leafy
• Unsmart Lady
• Strong Feelings
• Her Hippo
• Don’t Press Me
• Sit Down Meal
• Viking Hair
• More Big Birds
• Traditional Fish
• New Long Leg
• Magic of Meghan
• Tony Speaks!
• Scratchcard
• Lanyard Conversation  

Support was from Kiran Leonard.

When I got back, Kit Hawes and Nuala Honan were playing. They weren’t to my taste. They were too ‘country’ for my liking.

Closing the afternoon was India Electric Company who were more traditional fair. Playing a more traditional range of folk instruments such as mandolins, accordions and fiddles they were played some nice more traditional folk music. Great music to start the year.

Joining him was a large number of musicians such Romy Madley Croft (The XX), Hannah Thurlow (2:54), Gemma Thompson (Savages), Romeo Stodart (Magic Numbers), Lindsey Troy (Deap Vally), Jeff Wootton, Seye (Damon Albarn band) and Simon Tong (The Verve and The Good, The Bad and the Queen).

The piece itself was ‘pleasant’. Interesting to watch because of the number of string instruments, but not the greatest piece of classical music. But still a pleasant evening.