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Mar 01, 2019 By Dom Gourlay Photography by Adam Houghton The Orielles

It’s been an incredible 12 months for The Orielles. Having released their debut album Silver Dollar Moment this time last year, their popularity has grown considerably ensuring they can now fill venues of 450 capacity and upwards with consummate ease.

Indeed they’ve amassed a loyal band of devotees along the way, which is testament to their growing prowess as songwriters and ability to deliver memorably rousing performances night after night. Formed by sisters Esme Dee and Sidonie B Hand-Halford along with their friend Henry Carlyle Wade, the recent addition of former Trudy And The Romance keyboard player Alex Stephens has enhanced their live sound. Not to mention creating an extra layer of energy and enthusiasm into the bargain.

Tonight marks their fourth visit to the city of Nottingham and first time playing the Rescue Rooms, yet from the moment all four members enter the stage they emit a vigorous presence that reverberates around the venue. A flurry of cowbells, whistles and other percussion introduce opener “Old Stuff, New Glass,” a song that’s been kicking around in various formats since 2014 and one of two from the same era that still form a prominent part of the band’s live set. It recalls the likes of ESG and A Certain Ratio in their prime, bands that were around before any of the collective Orielles were even born.

Which exemplifies the wealth of influences they’ve taken from the past and present to create something entirely unique of their own doing. Before this evening’s show, someone asked me to describe The Orielles’ sound. “They sound like The Orielles” was my response, and while that might represent a massive cop out to some, it vehemently illustrates the originality of their compositions.

Each member brings their own individual personality to proceedings so when a song like “Liminal Spaces” segues into its instrumental breakdown “The Sound of Liminal Spaces” before returning to the dancefloor for “Blue Suitcase (Disco Wrist),” they’re an engrossing force to be reckoned with. Recent 45 “Bobbi’s Second World” suggests their next long player might be geared towards similar territory which judging by the response out front, would be no bad thing.

Sandwiched in between the two behemoths in their armoury “Sunflower Seeds” and “Sugar Tastes Like Salt,” it exudes a pop sensibility they’ve been building towards right from the band’s early beginnings. Nevertheless, it’s the aforementioned double whammy that creates a rush of excitement. Both songs in several parts that collectively last a few minutes short of 15 minutes, yet both also prime examples of their eclectic mix and match approach to making music.

Where the former changes tempo with gleeful abandon, it’s the latter that epitomises The Orielles’ delirious sonic melting pot. It’s probably fitting that two of the band’s oldest songs book end the set, “Sugar…” also dating back a good five years. Yet there’s something magical about the way it builds, then deconstructs before rebuilding again for one final flurry.

On tonight’s form, there’s only one way The Orielles’ trajectory is heading and that’s upwards. Long may it continue.

www.heavenlyrecordings.com/artist/the-orielles/

www.facebook.com/theorielles/

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