 | | The Cinematic Orchestra |
So a jam-packed Academy 2 seemed like a bit of a challenge, but it’s one that the band rose to with real aplomb, not least because of the intensity that they approach their live show. Cycling through a set of guest vocalists and soloists, the sheer quality of the musicianship on show was enough to carry along a crowd who whooped and cheered every sojourning saxophone, every drum detour and every electronic escapade that wandered their tunes off in improvised excellence. Not that everything worked quite so well. The chaotic explosions may have whirled the audience away into raptures, but the quieter moments, those spell-binding wonders that make the Orchestra so remarkable on record, lacked the magic in the box-like confines of the venue. It would have all made much more sense amongst the trampled grass, discarded beer cups and late afternoon sunshine of a festival, but a band cannot live on Jazz Stage slots alone. Beautiful and adventurous as the music is, until the band has something more, well, cinematic happening visually, there’ll always be a feeling that as the final notes wail and rattle to a close, their gigs aren’t entirely satisfying. | 
