British singer-songwriter Imogen Heap has enjoyed considerably more success in the US than in her native land, with her music being used for, among others, “The OC,” “CSI: Miami,” “Heroes,” and The Chronicles Of Narnia.
However, this much celebrated stature did not prevent her from expressing her excitement both to perform at WOMAD, and also to attend the festival herself after finishing her set at the packed Siam stage on Saturday evening.
Very quirky, like a cross between Kate Bush and Bjork, with just a little bit more contemporary urban flavour thrown in for good measure, Heap delighted a WOMAD crowd notably more composed of teenage girls than any other gig.
Taking pauses to drink from her cup of tea, she played a variety of different instruments, from piano and gong to “water fountain”, and at one stage incorporated a recording of her family sitting around the crackling of an open fire.
Clearly her art is important to her; like a genuine artist this takes precedence over the audience reaction, and she started one song three times just to get it right.
Her understanding of audience participation too was great, particularly when she split the crowd into three and we each sang one part of the harmony “Just For Now.” Her interludes were humorous and interesting.
Heap was joined on stage throughout most of the show by a cellist and violinist, adding a natural element to the atmospheric electronica. But she was not afraid to cross genres, and on “Earth” performed accompanied only by guest human beatbox Shlomo.
Overall, Imogen Heap’s good-naturedness and honesty were enough to overcome concerns over some of the sentiments expressed, in particular the rousing simulated electric guitar finale to her best-known song “Hide and Seek”, ode to “Do what you want, no-one will know.”
However, this much celebrated stature did not prevent her from expressing her excitement both to perform at WOMAD, and also to attend the festival herself after finishing her set at the packed Siam stage on Saturday evening.
Very quirky, like a cross between Kate Bush and Bjork, with just a little bit more contemporary urban flavour thrown in for good measure, Heap delighted a WOMAD crowd notably more composed of teenage girls than any other gig.
Taking pauses to drink from her cup of tea, she played a variety of different instruments, from piano and gong to “water fountain”, and at one stage incorporated a recording of her family sitting around the crackling of an open fire.
Clearly her art is important to her; like a genuine artist this takes precedence over the audience reaction, and she started one song three times just to get it right.
Her understanding of audience participation too was great, particularly when she split the crowd into three and we each sang one part of the harmony “Just For Now.” Her interludes were humorous and interesting.
Heap was joined on stage throughout most of the show by a cellist and violinist, adding a natural element to the atmospheric electronica. But she was not afraid to cross genres, and on “Earth” performed accompanied only by guest human beatbox Shlomo.
Overall, Imogen Heap’s good-naturedness and honesty were enough to overcome concerns over some of the sentiments expressed, in particular the rousing simulated electric guitar finale to her best-known song “Hide and Seek”, ode to “Do what you want, no-one will know.”
