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Eilen Jewell, the Queen of the Minor Key, does like a sad song, but while she may play music noire, the gig was far from a miserable experience. Her infectious blend of jazz, country, blues and rockabilly, backed by her excellent band, had the audience swaying and tapping their feet. In addition to the essentials – death, love and betrayal – subjects ranged from the humorous truth about cupid in ‘Bang Bang Bang’ to the gospel classic ‘Twelve Gates to the City’, as well as Hank Williams and Loretta Lynn covers. Ms Jewell is aptly named – she deserves to be treasured.

The Haunt, 27 October
Rating:
Jenni Davidson

The chances are you’re already familiar with Taiwanese death metal and Finnish ‘battle metal’, right? Really? No? Odd. Anyway, this truly international line-up of heavy bands didn’t disappoint. From Chthonic’s proficient grindcore rhythms and (made in Taiwan) blast beats to Turisas’ curious mix of Flogging Molly lively folk, Manowar power metal and, erm, Braveheart theatrics, these bands’ showmanship shone through. Turisas’ brand of musical cheese may be a bit too smelly for some, though an adoring crowd – looking more than a little like a World Of Warcraft convention – lapped up the Viking drinking songs and silly Boney M covers as these pantomime-metallers conquered all.

Concorde 2, 27 October
Rating:
Nick Aldwinckle

The much-hyped, interview-dodging Mancunians returned to Brighton to stake their claim as this week’s saviours of indie music. With the first few songs bringing to mind Big Country and Simple Minds, it seemed as if their blueprint was more 80′s Scotland than 21st century Lancashire. Ellery Roberts’s croaky voice grated slightly and the reverb-laden set lost the crowd on the slower numbers but the faster, dancier songs should soon be staples of indie clubs everywhere.
The organ-led riffs were refreshing but it seemed as if they were trying to run before they can walk. They were good but definitely not great.

Coalition, 27 October
Rating:
Steve Clements

Polyphony is when you sing more than one melody at a time and it is difficult to sing this unaccompanied. You must concentrate hard and watch the conductor. Having the audience walking about was unusual and a terrible risk, especially when each singer was singing a solo part, and there were 40 individual parts.

In the vast space of St Bartholomew’s it could all have gone terribly wrong, but the BREMF Consort of Voices are great musicians and pulled it off. Their confident, clear singing filled the church with the most heavenly sounds, to the delight of a capacity audience.

St Bartholomew’s Church, 27 October 2011
Rating:
Andrew Connal