Brighton Dome: Wednesday, October 26 2011
The first UK Tindersticks shows in years were billed as live performances of their scores from filmmaker Claire Denis’ movies along with some numbers from their eight studio albums.
So there was a palpable sense of disappointment when singer Stuart A Staples opened his mouth to speak and could barely croak.
Due to a severe bout of laryngitis, this was going to be a film score show only
It was immediately obvious that Denis’ assertion that the band often understood her films before she did wasn’t flattery.
Perhaps it’s because Denis gave them a free reign to interpret her work, or maybe it’s just a meeting of minds, but there’s clearly a natural affinity which obliterates the film and music divide.
The opening, dream-like section of a girl on her back in a swimming pool was a prime example; the twinkle of piano expertly timed alongside the bubbles as she exhaled under water.
On another clip, the jolting orchestration and rattling drums chimed perfectly with the shaky camera in a train driver’s cab as it rolled out of Paris, while, later, sweeping strings joyfully captured the happiness of a young couple dancing in their flat.
There was the odd moment when the music jarred with the footage, not least the gentle piano and rumbling basslines which accompanied a graphic description of what appeared to be a rape attack.
It wasn’t the only section which was difficult to watch, but in other scenes of harrowing violence, murder and fires, the music always added to atmosphere, rather than detracting from it.
This was a brave, original show which vividly brought home how crucial music is to film, whatever the on-screen emotions and actions.
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