Regina Spektor.
Performing: June 29, 2009
Serpentine Sessions first series of shows in Hyde Park kicked off with a stunning set by the vocal gymnastics of Regina Spektor. It was satisfying to see so many people arriving early, filling the Serpentine garden before the first act had begun. Everyone was either taking full advantage of the table service or nestled on their blankets picnicking, all of whom sharing jugs of that summertime drink, Pimms (what else are you supposed to drink on a day like this?).
Recent Epic signing Scott McFarnon opened proceedings on the bandstand. Flitting between melancholic guitar strumming with tales of lovelorn to plucked riffs in a Hip Hop style. Scott recently wrote the Top 5 hit single ‘Red’ for Daniel Merriweather which he aired in his own delicate way.
The captivating voice of Laura Groves was next to dazzle, and sure as it was sunny, Blue Roses didn’t disappoint. With female accompaniment on violin and xylophone, her voice was reminiscent of Joanna Newsom at her eeriest, or The Sundays Harriet Wheeler without the 90s jangly dream pop. Closing track ‘Rebecca’ came as close to rocking out as you’d get from a melodramatic folk performance, set to a desolate alt-rock guitar and pounding bass synth.
Then for something a little… different. West Coast nu-soul balladeer Reggie Watts stepped up to the Main Stage but it was his hair that greeted us first, a gravity defying bouncy afro waving hello. But there’s a lot more to him than that… alternating between rich baritone and soaring falsetto, his silky hybrid of old school R&B could sit comfortably between Curtis Mayfield and Al Green but when mixed up with unobtrusive left-field electronic music comes on like New Order shaking hands with Prince.
By now the deck chairs were out around the Serpentine gardens, and Jonathan Jeremiah's Motown vibe is well suited to the upbeat mood Reggie Watts has left everyone in. It’s only a few songs in and Jeremiah breaks into a cover, not an obvious choice, but the brooding rolling bassline of Massive Attack’s ‘Protection’ sounds like an entirely different song due to his unique blues and soul. You can hear the sound of his influences echo in his music where artists like James Taylor, Scott Walker and Nick Drake are given a modern touch. Topped off by The Spencer Davis Group ‘Keep On Running’ in celebration of Island’s 50th.
And then for the main event. It is rare to see so many new songs well received, but Regina Spektor was embraced by the audience from the off. The anti-folk heroine headlined the Monday night at the Serpentine Sessions and blew the top off of the big top tent by the sheer power of her voice. Sat behind the piano in her floral dress she played the majority of stunning new album, Far, joined only by drums, cellist and violinist.
You could tell she loved every minute, cracking wry smiles at various intervals and even laughing halfway through her kookier songs, gaining rises out of audience with her bonkers worldviews. ‘On The Radio’ received a huge response, as did the heartfelt encore of ‘Samson’ which was performed solo at the piano. She showed she is capable of not only entertaining the crowd with wit but also from the heart.
