„An optimist is a badly informed pessimist“ – Jordan Reyne

[Dajana] It’s no paradox when I wrote in last week’s live report that it would be the last show of the year 2013 and now come up with another one ;) The Wisdom Of Crowd show was indeed the last one, the last official and accredited one for the mag. Tonight’s show is something different, something special: it is the very first show the NOCTURNAL HALL magazine organized by itself, which, of course, is no reason not to write about it too ;)

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[Dajana] That me I and myself is a huge fan of both singers/songwriters is no secret. The mag is painted with overwhelming album reviews and live reports ;) To bring JORDAN REYNE and VIC ANSELMO on one stage, performing together was an utmost concern, a heart’s desire. And the organizational circumstances turned out to be a lucky strike as we got the chance to organize the show under patronage of the • DuDo Party • (dark Thursday party, a free party for fans of EBM/Gothic/Industrial) at the • Sputnikall/Café • in Muenster, my hometown. As for that a huge THANK YOU goes out to DJ Niggels for his incredible help. It was so much appreciated. I know I just scratched the big business of organizing concerts but I learned what it means to do so and how much work is attached. Here and now and with deepest respect I salute everybody who is (regularly) organizing shows and tours where I so nonchalantly waltz into often enough!

[Dajana] That we have two really exceptional, brilliant and unique musicians live on stage goes without saying. And now all attendees know as well ;) It of course could have been more but I guess icy cold temperatures, freezing streets and a really dense fog kept many people away. Too bad. You missed something really special!
[Psycho] At least the fog suited tonight’s music. And all attendees were here because they were really interested in the musicians and their music. A fact that contributed to the special concert atmosphere...

[Dajana] It’s half past eight when enchanting :: VIC ANSELMO :: enters the stage and starts with her 45 minutes performance through her work including her both records In My Fragile and Trapped In A Dream as well as a couple of new songs such as Cody, Another Train and On The Other Side. I’m so looking forward to a new album. It is only her, her voice and the piano. What’s noticeable, if you know her work, is how much Vic grew with her music. She freed herself from the tight corset called Gothic/Electro and allows much more influences; not only Rock, Alternative and Indie, but also chanson and even cabaret. And VIC ANSELMO plays with heart and soul. It’s not only to hear and sense out, you can downright see it on her face. It’s so lovely, so adorable to see her weave a magic atmosphere while playing. You definitely cannot elude. VIC ANSELMO has cold hands but takes it with humor. What really touched me personally was the fact that all attendees where quiet as church mice, listening with full dedication. Unbelievable. It was truly amazing to experience that. On the other hand, people were scared when Vic called upon them to sing along with her at I Am The One. Ok, to be honest, all our tries were deplorable compared with Vic’s lovely voice ;)
[BRT] A much likable show of a great singer its repertoire should also attract fans of Tori Amos and Nick Cave. The Muenster audience that normally can’t shut up during acoustic shows was frighteningly attentive and quiet. But a smaller location would have been more ideal I think.
[Psycho] I think it’s almost impossible to get not infected and enthused by the esprit and good mood of VIC ANSELMO. Musically it’s actually not really my cup of tea; it’s the piano thing, but her performance was just fantastic. Besides, Vic’s music should also attract people who don’t go in for Gothic or heavier Rock.
Setlist: Open Wide, Horizon, Beverly, Cody, On The Other Side, Another Train, Ashes, Wellspring, Bone’s Blues, The Day, I Am The One (To Save The Universe)

[Dajana] After a short break it is up to :: JORDAN REYNE ::. She kicks in with a brand new song entitled The Shadow Line as pure a cappella version. Risky but it worked out perfectly. JORDAN REYNE scored from the first note on. She also played a 45 minutes set through her latest three albums The Annihilation Sequence (released in June), Children Of A Factory Nation and How The Dead Live. The sound was clear and powerful giving Jordan the best to unfold her talents. Oh, by the way, dear Sputnikhall, the new bass speakers are just wonderful, well-invested money ;) What JORDAN REYNE did there with only one guitar, her voice and her loop machines was breathtaking. She looped and shifted sounds to such a dense atmosphere. If I wouldn’t have had goose flesh since Vic’s performance, now I’d have for sure. Even the sound engineer was astonished (and got much inspired ;)). Jordan scored even more with her German announcements and joking and teasing, when her coughing (due to the smoke) or the smoke machine made it into the loops, or when she explained the three chords she “only” can play (sad chord, angry chord und happy chord) *laughs*. Such funny girl. Of course JORDAN REYNE was not allowed to just leave the stage after her performance. The crowd full-throated demanded an encore and Jordan came back. Twice. The show was ultimately over and the lights went on. Both ladies came back afterwards to talk with fans and to signs CDs far into the night. What a show!
[BRT] Wow! No need to say more! JORDAN REYNE looped the first tones and I got goose flesh… This is atmospheric music to the max, performed by an utterly charismatic and eclectic singer. I just had to raid her merch. It was absolutely thrilling to witness how JORDAN REYNE handled her one-woman-orchestration with two loop-stations. Imagine a folky and Victorian version of PJ Harvey accompanied by NIN… you just have to see her playing live! Stunning! Just stunning! And great… Just add any kind of gigantisms ;) Oh, by the way… Mrs. Reyne, please come back soon!
[Psycho] I only can agree. I never saw the described loop techniques before and was blown away. Simply fantastic! Besides it seems this woman has a metronome inside her belly, because the timing for such kind of music must be blisteringly good. While the songs sounded like an insane mix of Gothic, Industrial, Steampunk and Irish (actually New Zealand) Folk JORDAN REYNE scored with much self-mockery and little anecdotes. Definitely an amazing performance and a wonderful evening. Muenster needs more of this!
Setlist: The Shadow Line, Johnny & The Sea, The Proximity Of Death (Blue Eyed Boy), The Gentleman, Factory Nation, BOP, Dishonour Among Thieves, Don’t Look Down, London, The Narcissmus, Song For Winter Solstice // A Women Scorned //

[Dajana] A phenomenal concert, an enthused audience, almost completely selling out the merchandise afterwards. Amazing! Beyond belief. I hope that we can repeat such event in the near future. If not we gonna do it ourselves again ;) And now, dear reader, I release you really into the Christmas time. Have a great time. We are back with words and pics mid January 2014. Have a happy new year 2014!

story • BRT, Psycho, Dajana • pics © Dajana