With Halloween being gently ushered in by the chilled London air, Ché Aimee Dorval’s soulful voice triumphed on a night at St. Pancras Old Church, a venue that transformed into a sanctuary of sound, woven with melodies and memories.
The very intimacy of the space lent itself to an evening where the music was not just a performance but an interaction—a conversation between the artist and her audience.
the profound stillness of the gathered listeners allowed even Dorval’s quietest breaths and pauses to be felt in full measure."
Bathed in the gentle glow of purple spotlights, with the solemn image of the dying Christ overseeing the stage, the rather lovely Ché Aimee Dorval, occasionally accompanied by Samual Chadwick, captivated the audience within the venerable walls of St. Pancras Old Church with her beguiling vocal. Each note they played and each word sung was embraced by the ambient symphony of the space: the soft creaks of wooden chairs as listeners leaned forward in rapt attention, and the subtle clicks of camera shutters capturing moments destined to become treasured keepsakes of an unforgettable night.
As Dorval transitioned into ‘Buried,’ the church’s ambiance enriched the performance. Both the subtle whispers of movement and the resonant tolling of the bell wove through her music, creating a layered texture of sound. These elements, usually overpowered in larger venues, here became an integral part of the performance, emphasizing the uniqueness and intimacy of the setting.
The emotional pull of ‘Falling Under’ and ‘Almost Again’ was accentuated by the audience’s reactions—a murmur of resonance, the quiet shuffle — all subtle testaments to their deep engagement. The church’s natural acoustics flawlessly carried every chord and chorus of ‘Art Of Dying’ and ‘Sleeping Stoned,’ while the profound stillness of the gathered listeners allowed even Dorval’s quietest breaths and pauses to be felt in full measure.
With ‘Bones,’ there was a sense that the church itself was resonating along, its old bones harmonizing with the song’s resilient themes. When ‘Flight’ lifted the audience’s spirits, it was in a room so silent you could hear the collective heartbeat of an entranced crowd.
In this sacred space, ‘Sorta Loves Me’ echoed with a piercing clarity, each click of a guitar pedal, each shift in Dorval’s stance, becoming part of the evening’s narrative. The intimacy was so profound that even the soft sighs of awe from the crowd during the emotive ‘Blood Red Son’ felt like they were meant to be there.
The evening culminated with ‘The Crowned,’ where the interplay of silence and sound reached a harmonic crescendo. Here, within these ancient walls, every creak, every sigh, every click was not merely background noise but a living part of the concert’s tapestry.
Reflecting on the night, Dorval’s gratitude-filled words on social media captured the essence of this shared journey: “LONDON what a magical night. I can’t believe we managed to SELL OUT our first show of the tour! And to everyone who came out and to those that stayed after the show to say hi THANK YOU – I was truly floored by all the love and I can’t wait to come back and do it again!” Her acknowledgment of the fans and the opening act, Ian Bareham Music, underscored the profound connections forged in the unique ambiance of St. Pancras Old Church.
The memory of this evening would linger long after the final notes faded, held in the church’s embrace, and cherished by all who were there. It was a night where the music, the artist, the fans, and the venue itself came together in a symphony of shared experience—a night that captured the quintessence of live music.
Ché Aimee Dorval played St Pancras Old Church, London – 27th October 2023
Support from Ian Bareham
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