Volcano Choir – The Barbican, London 11/11/13

Side-projects are mysterious things. The expression implies the work is given attention only in short bursts, or is of a secondary importance to the “central” project but the likes of Broken Bells or indie-heroes The Postal Service have shown that special things can come from these excursions.

Justin Vernon emerged quite literally from the woods of Wisconsin and into the hearts and minds of millions as Bon Iver thanks to the heart-wrenching break-up debut For Emma, Forever Ago. Since then, his extra curricular-activities have included solo work under his own name, as well as collaborations with Kanye West and even rumours of a future collaboration with Justin Timberlake.

Formed in 2005 Volcano Choir preceded all of this. Vernon – who brings clout to his hometown band – is by no means the central player and an entirely different beast from the lovelorn figure of Bon Iver. He restlessly wanders around the Barbican’s sizable stage, his passion for the event apparent through proud and excitable fidgeting, punctuated by thrashing air guitar and drums.

Welcomed onto the theatrical setting by ”Tiderays” and its whirring organ introduction, the seven members of Volcano Choir look something like a super-group, waving out at the excitable seats. The song – which kicks-off the wonderful Repave, their second record - is an equally suitable way to set the tone for tonight’s show. The intensity of Vernon’s voice builds and pours out from behind his preacher-like booth, as the hypnotic acoustic riff works away underneath a crescendo of drums.

One of the most striking elements of the performance (and indeed the album) is the contrast that the band excel at: the cold poignancy of “Alaskans”, in which trademark falsetto sores out above immaculate nylon-stringed picking, is juxtaposed by bludgeoning anthem “Byegone“. The latter is a euphoric highlight, forcing the otherwise still and attentive crowd to purposefully nod throughout.

There is an child-like excitement (culminating in a genuine tumble on to the stage floor) in guitarist Chris Rosenau, who wraps-up a number of songs with cries of “You guys are nuts!” This carefree enjoyment makes the intricacies of songs like “Island, IS” and set closer “Still” (which features the vocal refrain Kanye West borrowed to such effect) even more captivating.

Genuine appreciation to the point of shock means this performance is not what the majority of tonight’s audience were expecting – but it takes nothing away from a live show by a side-project that deserves to be understood as something a whole lot more.