There were only two songs from the group’s last album, ‘Knee Deep’ and ‘News From Verona’ - both popular pieces and an important concession to the fans who had arrived via that route. ‘Paper Scissors Stone’ eventually arrived mid-set and listening to it here confirmed it as one of my favourite songs from the album. It sets off at ripping pace and spellbinds with its hint of the classics and its monster melody. Wylie’s snake-charming spell on sax is nothing short of spectacular as it dominates the second half of the song.

Finally, ‘Clipper’, favours us with its ghostly presence and the unusual sounds of messaging dolphins and whales cleverly contrived by Wylie. This composition is the most shared endeavour with magnificent contributions from Bellamy on drums and Fitzpatrick on double bass, with Wylie contributing a performance that went from soaring to jagged, and Mulvey making the Hang’s presence felt in the song’s closing passages.

UK club audiences are notorious for talking during a performance, but on this occasion (with one exception who I could see was bothering Mulvey, and promptly had me going over to the offending youth who immediately stopped at my request) there was silence. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an audience so mesmerised by a performance - it was wonderful to witness. I am still awestruck by how such youthful musicians can produce such mature and beautiful music and performances, while stretching the boundaries so accessibly - as Yul Brynner declared in The King And I, ’tis a mystery.’ It makes me wonder what other talent is out there, and how the hell is to be encouraged to surface and develop? As for the Portico Quartet, its future is assured and its compositional strengths will build over time (a slightly harder edge maybe…) - just imagine that! To say I was ‘blown-away’ by this performance is a dramatic understatement. More than that I cannot express, except to say that this was a show that will remain in my memory for very many years to come.

Setlist

Dawn Patrol
Isla
The Visitor
Knee Deep In The North Sea
Paper Scissors Stone
Line
News From Verona
Life Mask Interlude
Clipper