The Civil Wars at the Union Chapel

Bagging a support slot with the chart-dominating icon that is Adele is probably a dream gig for most musicians. The lady herself is famous for shunning  huge stadiums in favour of the smaller, more intimate venues that she feels resonate better with her stripped-back, personal sound. Choosing the right support act must have required care and attention – smaller venues are often more unforgiving; they require musicians with character and poise, people who can connect with their audience.

She must have had a field day when she met The Civil Wars. Quirky, instantly likeable and crucially, very different from anyone on the scene right now, the band’s unique charm is hard to resist. Fresh from  their support slot on Adele’s tour, The Civil Wars, aka Joy Williams and John Paul White, took centre stage last week in their own show at Islington’s Union Chapel. ‘I think this is my dream come true’, breathed Joy, staring up at the echoing, vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows of what is, in my view, one of the most beautiful venues in London. And I think the audience agreed.

Accompanied only by a guitar and the occasional keyboard, the duo delivered song after song of perfectly pitched harmonies, interspersed with a witty banter that demonstrated their personal, as well as musical chemistry. ‘I first met John Paul at a songwriter’s workshop’, explained Joy, ‘we wrote a song, we worked so well together. Then of course, neither of us said anything…’ ‘Because we’re cool’ deadpanned John Paul, adjusting his bow tie.

The music, for those of you who aren’t yet familiar, is pared-down and beautiful. There are strong elements of folk and country, but a healthy smattering of dark humour and intelligent, wistful lyrics help keep it modern. Special mention has to go to their cover songs – usually the least interesting part of a gig, their fabulous reworking of Billie Jean and a wittily menacing version of You Are My Sunshine showed real creativity and skill.

Just as Adele chose wisely in lining up The Civil Wars as support on her recent tour, The Civil Wars’ choice of support at this gig deserves a paragraph to itself. I’m horribly guilty of spending most of the run-up to a gig in the bar, going through only at the last moment, when the main event is about to start. On this occasion, I was lucky enough to be in my seat at the Union Chapel when The Staves took to the stage, and they absolutely blew me away. Three sisters and a guitar – nothing more. And they left the entire venue covered in goosebumps.

Both the fabulous headline act and their impressive support were rewarded with wild applause by an audience who, despite the buttock-numbingly uncomfortable seats, didn’t want to go home, even after two encores. If that isn’t a sign of a wildly successful show then I don’t know what is.

The Union Chapel
Compton Avenue
Islington
N1 2XD

Tel: 020 7226 3750

To find out more information about The Civil Wars, visit their website.