Bat For Lashes

Homecoming gig for Brighton resident, and ex-Brighton of University student Natasha Khan, the occasion, within the splendour of the Dome, brought a smile and chuckle from this performer, who was seriously considering giving up music after the last album, in search of nest-building. An almost packed house though were largely thankful that she didn’t, for Natasha is still an artist in development, and with plenty of fuel left in the tank as she demonstrated with songs from her new album ‘The Haunted Man’, her third excellent album in a row. A little more streamlined and pop-orientated than her previous works, there’s still more than a hint of Kate Bush and Bjork here, with similar dramatic yet heartfelt overtones, and a vaguely 80s feel to the music performed by a five-piece band. For the uninitiated it can take time to warm to the charms of Bat For Lashes, but overall that patience is rewarded.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 4 November 2012
Rating:
Jeff Hemmings