Seth Lakeman. Pic: 6tee-zeven

For probably the first time in its storied history, Lichfield Cathedral was turned into a folk-rock hootenanny, complete with atmospheric lighting, for the acclaimed singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman.

As part of a tour of Cathedrals to promote his latest release Word of Mouth, which takes a musical journey through the lives and times of works in his Devon home, the show was a success, both musically and in terms of ticket sales.

Seth Lakeman. Pic: 6tee-zeven
Seth Lakeman. Pic: 6tee-zeven
With a stage strewn with any number of instruments – from a harmonium, guitars, full drum kit and percussion to double bass – and the equipment needed to re-produce the spoken word excerpts of the album, the band showed that although the fusion of many types of music shouldn’t work on paper, on the live stage they can be shown to their best advantage.

The drones provided by harmonium and concertina helped to add a certain resonance to some songs, while Ben Nichols melodic bass helped to underscore the pathos of many of the songs. His nimble playing, using Middle Eastern scales, helped to add a nagging sense of tension. The drive provided by the bass and Cormac Byrne on drums and percussion added a lot of energy to the concert, featuring in such songs as The Courier and Take No Rogues.

The energy level changed throughout the concert, with the ballads The White Hare and the touching solo piece Portrait of Your Wife being a concert highlight.

Female singer Lisbee Stainton added a lot to the music. Her pure, high toned vocal being a perfect compliment to Lakeman’s voice, and she also provided instrumental passages on banjo, and harmonium.

The first set was closed by the bluegrass banjo-flavoured Last Ride which was an upbeat reading.

The second half of the concert was even livelier, featuring much more of Seth’s signature fiddle work, the highlight of which was the intense duet version of Kitty Jay – the frenzied fiddle and Bodhran part dovetailing perfectly with each other.

The musical invention continued, with dance rhythms and hypnotic musical parts adding something to an already heady mix.

An encore hoedown of Blood on Copper lifted the energy levels of a wet evening. I have seen a number of concerts at Lichfield Cathedral and it is a good venue for this type of music, with fine acoustics allowing the music to be seen and heard in its best glory.