Thursday 11th February 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

An eerie, low humming fills the main room of the Academy. Electronic noises float through the space at random. The anticipation of the awaiting crowd grows by the minute and there’s a magic in the air. To a great roar, Imogen Heap twirls onto the stage. A charming performer from Romford, Imogen Heap’s career has accelerated in a matter of months from a large cult following to fringes of the mainstream. It has seen her progress from gigs at Bristol’s Fleece, to headlining the Bristol Academy, to playing London’s Royal Albert Hall this November. It looks like things are only going to get bigger and better for Imogen Heap.

Taking a seat beneath the white branches of a flat-pack wooden tree festooned in blue fairy lights at a clear Perspex grand piano, this musical ingénue is striking in every way. Her dark hair is adorned with a red flower and with her black dress and sparkly black leggings, she puts me in mind of a Vaudevillian maiden. Starting off with First Train Home from latest album Ellipse, a subtle electronic pulse throbs whilst her delicate voice winds, ranging from deeply earthy to fairy-ethereal but always soft, and made richer by her deft finger magic at the ivories.

Imogen Heap’s performances are one of the most personal experiences you can have with an artist, taking personal interest in both her audience and her support acts and even taking a brief question and answer session from the audience. Imagine a friendly primary school teacher meets Elton John and you’ve got Imogen Heap. Tonight’s gig feels like the best school assembly you never had.

Imogen and her assembled performers use a mixture of old instruments with more modern sampling technologies and computerised sounds to create a real experience for all those in attendance. She’s kind of like a more accessible version of Bjork but there’s also a darker side on show in some of her heartfelt lyrics which keeps things from getting too sweet.

After the audience are encouraged to become the backing choir for the inevitable encore of Hide And Seek, the assembly comes to a close. You’re left feeling the same way you did about that crazy favourite art teacher at school; inspiring, eccentric and totally unforgettable.

www.imogenheap.com

Heather McKay and Adam Hooper
Photos by Laura Palmer