Live Review: Faun and Paris Paloma at Islington Assembly Hall on April 07, 2023

As the Easter weekend approached, music aficionados gathered at London’s Islington Assembly Hall, eagerly anticipating an unforgettable Friday night featuring the enthralling German pagan folk ensemble Faun and the captivating Paris Paloma. The exceptional talents of both bands promised a night of mesmerizing performances that resonated with the discerning tastes of Manor208’s esteemed audience.

As Easter weekend was coming in London, there was also a great concert waiting for whoever didn’t decide to travel to celebrate at the iconic Islington Assembly Hall, renowned for its stunning art deco architecture and rich history of hosting diverse musical events

Paris Paloma

As the audience gathered at the venue and the lights dimmed, the enchanting Paris Paloma, a young and talented singer-songwriter from the UK, took the stage. Accompanied by drums and guitar, Paloma captivated the audience with her powerful lyrics, exploring themes of grief, pain, and love that resonated deeply with many, particularly women.

Her mesmerizing voice set the perfect tone for the evening, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere that paved the way for the main event, Faun, to further captivate the eager crowd.

Faun

After such a great opening, was the time for the main band hit the stage, and the pagan folk Faun clearly came to deliver an amazing performance, masterfully blended ancient tunes with modern flair, incorporating an array of instruments like the bouzouki, harp, hurdy-gurdy, flutes, percussion , and bagpipes with synthesisers and samplers to create an unforgettable musical journey.

During the song “Tamlin”, despite some logistical challenges to bring a lute, the great Adaya played a Banjo instead, and to no surprise, she rocked it, seamlessly integrating it with the rest of the instruments.

Throughout the concert, energy levels surged, with Rüdiger taking the spotlight as he effortlessly transitioned between various percussion instruments, captivating the audience with his rhythmic mastery. The band launched into their set with the mesmerizing “Andro” and continued to please the fans with classic hits like “Diese kalte Nacht,” “Walpurgisnacht,” “Gwydion,” and “Rhiannon.”

As it was the Friday before Easter, Faun’s pagan-inspired songs struck a chord with the audience, who eagerly sang and danced along. This resonated even more given that Germany, the band’s homeland, traditionally prohibits dancing during Easter weekend.

The evening reached its peak with a thrilling encore, featuring the captivating songs “Wenn Wir Uns Wiedersehen,” “Hymn to Pan,” and “Thalia”, closing one of the best pagan folk concerts one can watch!