Sitting amongst a sea of people, I would never think of Colston Hall as an intimate venue. With it’s grand ceilings, lustrous balconies and colossal sound it seems to be the very antithesis of an intimate setting. Yet, as I sat listening to Ludovico Einaudi, it was if it was just the two of us.
His set transcended all preconceived notions of a night in his company. With a five-piece band behind him, each with a multitude of unusual instruments to hand, Einaudi spent the evening completely uninhibited. Beautifully simple pieces were followed by ambient, almost experimental forays. These in turn were followed by intense waves of cinematic fury that pulsated with adrenaline and seemed taught to the point of breaking.
Yet at times, the set lost focus as the tone drifted into a happier realm and though still imbued with the same passion and craftsmanship it lacked conviction. At his most somber and introspective, Einaudi was fearless and took the audience to incredibly dark places, making those happier moments seem somewhat half-hearted.
After two astonishing sets and an equally satisfying encore filled with masterful musicianship and mesmerizing visuals it was almost impossible to stand. The weight of the performance rested heavy on my shoulders as I took a breath and absorbed it all. Describing the experience would always be a disservice to what Einaudi created. Put simply, it was captivating.
Check out ‘Walk’ right here:
