Live Review: Chapter and Verse, Bellevue Days & Luke Rainsford - The Black Heart, London 18/10/2018
A warm evening in the Black Heart for Chapter and Verse last week, when they headlined the North London venue, with support coming from Bellevue Days and Luke Rainsford.
Thursday night, Camden, Black Heart. Those attending knew it was 8PM doors – what caught people off guard was the pre-show acoustic set from Chapter and Verse. It’s a short and seemingly impromptu set that sees the band’s popular singles stripped down to the bare bones; some of the crowd even brave the floor of the Black Heart to make the entire affair feel cosy and more intimate. A cover of Paramore’s ‘Decode’ closes things before they’ve even properly started, setting the stage for Luke Rainsford.
Follow festival appearances at Slam Dunk, 2000 Trees and Fat Lip Festival this summer, Luke Rainsford is more than making a name for himself in the acoustic scene. The singer/songwriter has two albums under his belt already which is sure to set him on the course for even greater things. Technical difficulties splutter the set into being but it’s soon forgotten as crowd favourites ‘Home Safe’ and ‘Looking For Your Ghost’ are returned with ample enthusiasm and smiles.
Bellevue Days turn the volume up. Hearing the first electric guitar of the night changes the mood of the room – there’s a tonne of banter between band and audience which lightens things further. Listen to ‘Faith’ for a general idea of their sound: the band are a melting pot of grungy-alt rock that gets the crowd more excited with their heavier sound but with cleaner, acoustic moments which bridges the gap between the comparably gentle Luke Rainsford and the headliners, Chapter and Verse.
Chapter and Verse have been milling around the crowd for the entire show – the whole audience it seems are friends in one way or another – family friends, business colleagues or just long-time fans, they’re a popular bunch. Picking the energy up further the four piece rip through a sing-along set that features new single ‘Ink’ and old favourites ‘Magazines’ and ‘The New Breed. Josh’s vocals are impressive: high, low, loud and aggressive but also calm and serene. Having the crowd chanting back ‘One in a million’ has the band gleaming and hints at a progression for this band that will see them selling out even larger venues in not much time at all.
Words and Photography by Rhys Haberfield