Jane Weaver review, Islington Assembly Hall, London: Powerful electronic pop
Weaver has made her music more accessible without sacrificing its originality
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Your support makes all the difference.Not many musicians are only hitting their straps a quarter of a century after starting out, but the stunning rise of Jane Weaver smashes that barrier.
The Liverpool-born singer-songwriter has struck new heights with current LP Modern Kosmology, pulling off the difficult trick of making her music more accessible - without sacrificing its originality and distinctiveness.
The North London audience – both middle-aged men and young women barely born when Weaver began her career - reflects her new crossover appeal.
At first sight, flitting dreamily across the stage with her head held back, she could almost be mistaken for Kate Bush, singing about life on bleak Yorkshire moors.
But the music is much more intense, combining thudding bass lines and synth-induced melodies to create powerful electronic pop – particularly on stand-out singles "Slow Motion" and "Did You See Butterflies?".
A few tracks, those lacking obvious hooks, meander and have less impact – and a weakness of the set is that Weaver sometimes struggles to project her vocals over both keyboards and guitars.
But she captures the undivided attention of everyone when, shrouded in darkness, she delivers an unforgettable "I Need A Connection", from earlier The Amber Light. Consider that connection made and sealed.
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