One of the highlights of 2022 was our introduction to the marvellous Charm Of Finches - the Australian sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes. they bewitched and beguiled with their songwriting, harmonies, and stunning live performances. So captured were we that we managed to catch them twice on that inaugural UK tour and when we spoke to them at Black's their intentions at the time were not to return to the UK until 2024. However it seems the ripples from those shows spread wide and an invite to the 2023 Celtic Connections seems to be the driver for an impromptu second UK tour.
St Pancras Old Church could not have made a more ideal venue - dating back to the 14th Century or has Ivy noted with a wry smile "older than colonised Australia!". In truth we'd come to savour tonight rather than review it but as the evening unfolded it became apparent that some record of events should be kept.
As ever the Finches were immaculately attired, Ivy spectacularly so in a dress that sparkled and shimmered in what little light there was. The set broadly followed much of what had made up the operning tour with the addition of a few new songs being road tested before the new album is recorded in Canada later in the year which sounded strong even on first listen.
The opening "Concentrate On Breathing" soon reminded us if why we liked them so much the first time round, the sibling harmonies and the expressive interpretations making them visually and aurally absorbing to experience.
The album "Wonderful Obliviion" provided many of the evenings high points including "Miranda" played in front of a real life Miranda or the dream inspired "Canyon" echoing majestically around the church in an almost ethereal way.
It was only on introducing the final song of the main set that they announced the devastating news that tonight's show was coming on the back of their Grandfather having passed away the previous day.
I think the audience would have forgiven a cancellation under such circumstances but instead the Finches delivered a poignant set despite at times clearly being affected by the emotion of it all.
Even down to the encores, they decided to play both their intended encore and an audience request. It all made for a most memorable and affecting evening and make no mistake Charm Of Finches will migrate back to the UK again and they will continue to amass an ever growing legion of fans.