The Richard Jefferies gardens provided the perfect setting for both audience and artist in the museum’s first
“Culture and Cream Teas” session on Sunday. Playing from under the resident Mulberry tree, Claire Northey cited the afternoon – as the best gig she had ever played, after years of performances in dank bars and pub backrooms.
The Bristol resident’s performance was as free as entry, with no set list but a selection of songs from her excellent new album “Mavromati”. Claire’s love of story-telling through music and ability to adapt to her surroundings has seen her write for theatre productions in no fewer than three countries. A talent which can safely be said to have been an influence, on both her sound and her writing of music.
First time visitor to the town, French Violist (80% to be exact, Claire’s words not mine) basked in the relaxed atmosphere of the event. She praised budding young dancers who provided alternative moves to her eclectic sound of violin, loop pedalling and vocal, as well as simultaneously promising a return visit to the venue.
But, what’s not to like? Firstly, it’s free (courtesy of a recently awarded Arts Council grant); a rare commodity today, but most importantly; it was inclusive. Children mixed and ran wild in the freedom of the museum and its grounds, whilst adults drank tea and ate scones generously covered in cream and lashings of jam.
The whole event itself was beautifully unconventional, spontaneous and free. The clouds vacating in time for the performance allowing for the sun’s rays to shine down on us all truly was the finishing touch to a perfect afternoon.
One, if you are a believer, may think that Richard Jefferies arranged himself.
https://www.clairenorthey.com/
Words and pictures courtesy of Emma Smith
