No matter what you think about Imogen Heap, you can’t deny she lavishes a lot of care on her live shows. From the inventive and striking projections, to the wooden tree draped with lights and metallic geegaws of mysterious provenance, the stage designs much more adventurous than one’s accustomed to for a mid-sized venue like the Empire. The range of instruments she employs is impressive, not least the transparent grand piano that dominates the stage.
Even her support bands were well thought through, although Back Ted n’ Ted’s enthusiasm and technical skill wasn’t well-served by his bland songwriting. Tim Exile’s largely improvised set quite possibly surpassed the main attraction. Manipulating sounds made by crowd members into entirely new forms, looping and layering snippets of audience conversation, getting a random guy up on stage to add guitar chords and melodies to a spontaneous composition, he’s quite unlike anything this reviewer’s ever seen.
It’s just a shame more innovation wasn’t present in Imogen’s own material. She’s clearly an immensely talented lady, even with a voice weakened by a recent throat infection. Her bohemian, ditzy charm is infectious, and although she suffers from acute Waynecoyneitus (an affliction that inhibits the ability to shut up), she’s entertaining enough to get away with it.
Perhaps inspired by Tim Exile’s antics, she whips up an brooding, atmospheric improvised piece based on a key, tempo and time signature suggested by the audience, C# minor, 140bpm, ¾ time in this case, with the intention of selling it to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. She plans to do this every night of the tour. An unusual, but admirable idea that’s indicative of someone with much more imagination that your standard singer-songwriter.
But, the fact remains that her recent output is, for the most part, bland, middle-of-the-road fare; pleasant enough but easily forgettable. Too often she coasts rather than soars; her multi-instrumental talents wasted on inoffensive fluff. There are some great moments however: getting the audience to provid the multi-layered harmonies of ‘Just For Now’, the vocodered a cappella of ‘Hide and Seek’, but the rest fails to leave much of an impression. She’s a fantastic show-woman, and one that intermittently has the musical chops to match, but one’s left with the distinct suspicion she’s capable of so much more.
Photos by Minh Le
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You should not speak of that you do not understand. Imogen Heap has more talent in her little finger than most anyone you’ve ever seen. She stands apart as a creative giantess and a purveyor of intrinsic beauty. Not everyone “gets” the depth and originality in her music. She is almost beyond human in her ability to touch the brain, heart, and soul through her music and performance. (P.S. Do some research next time. Imogen has been a master of improvisational miracles all along. How lame to suggest she got the idea from Tim Exile.) Imogen Heap is the most amazing and talented musician and performer around. She simply blows everyone else out of the water.
Were you even there?? Just wondering. This is from someone who was there and who “gets it.” http://clinkmusicmagazine.com/2010/02/19/imogen-heap-at-shepherds-bush-empire/
The Clink reviewer may ‘get it’, but they can’t write, sadly. Nor do they even attempt a modicum of objectivity, which is something that most people quite like to see in reviews.
An essential facet of ‘growing up’ is recognising that not everyone necessarily sees things the way you do, and that this doesn’t in itself make them ‘wrong.’ And as for Heap being ‘the most amazing and talented musician and performer around’? Try Bjork…
i’ve read about imogen heap fans being a bit on the ‘over-protective’ side. ImmiAppreciation – you are solid gold proof. pat yourself on the back, then go have a cup of tea and CALM DOWN.
Correct, the “Clink” reviewer is not a stellar writer.
Correct, that review expressed little objectivity.
Correct, Immi fans can be a bit over the top. It’s because she is so unique and vulnerable, and she gives so much of herself — it feels sad when someone with a voice and a platform doesn’t “get it.”
Correct, a cup of tea was a good idea.
Not correct, Bjork. She’e awesome, too. But nope.
Ah, well, the pics were nice.
:D
LOL. Geez Adam, you just don’t *get* it.
i was that random guy!