My first night at Open House Festival was a real treat. I opted for the main Festival Marquee for the night and was saturated in sound from the quiet revolution. Kicking off with Nathaniel Rateliff, followed by The Low Anthem and Iron and Wine.
Kieran, one of the main festival organisers, introduced me to the music of Nathaniel Rateliff the other week which I posted about here.
Nathanniel is a man of few words when it came to chatting in between songs which added to the air of mystery around him which I liked. When I did chat to him later in the evening he struck me as a very humble and introspective sort of man who just enjoys what he does. He doesn’t feel the need to show off or brag. He is what he is…
Nathaniel has a new album out titled In Memory of Loss from which he sang a few some songs from. The album is something real special and is fast growing on me as a big favourite. He lays down some very deep and raw lyrics along with some beautiful backing and harmonising from his band (The Wheel). He has a unique and potent style of singing that can carry a powerful punch or a tender caraess that places him up there in the top league.
The powerful Early Spring Till was a special highlight of his set which I have a feeling will be his first EP release from the album.
You can’t write songs like this without experiencing them. When he sings Are you tired and broken, once so stout all the hairs on my neck stood up…and ok…I felt myself welling up and I know I wasn’t alone as he grabbed the hearts of many last night with an incredibly moving and tender performance which will remain in my memory as a festival highlight.
He has a raw quality that has no need for embellishment or props and I’d say he’s going places for sure! Definately a name to watch out for, just listening to people around me I could tell they were blown away by his performance. Well done to Open House Festival for exposing him in the UK!
Early Spring Till:
[audio:http://www.box.net/shared/static/5z4kfnvher.mp3|titles=Early Spring Till|artists=Nathaniel Rateliff]
all photos copyright Folk Radio UK