Soft emotions are at the heart of this show welcoming Ben Howard, an unassuming herald of the constantly evolving British folk, and November Ultra, an energetic new face of contemporary French pop.

1/ November Ultra

The big revelation of this year, recognised as such by the Victoires de la Musique award ceremony, November Ultra stands out through her delicate and sensitive performances. By laying bare all emotions, she expresses a strength and serenity that seduce her audience, which is visibly growing by the day. While the title of her first album, Bedroom Walls, evokes the intimate setting of songs written within the four walls of a little Paris bedroom, it also expresses the cosy warmth found there. The arpeggios of the acoustic guitar and piano are complemented by laser-focussed work on production, rhythm and snatches of electronic sounds. At the core of this welcoming pop with R’n’B undertones resounds an exceptional voice that can carry all emotions. On stage, November Ultra invites us into her bedroom, making each concert a unique moment of empathy and exchange.

2/ Ben Howard

In 2018, Ben Howard’s ambitious third album, Noonday Dream, marked a turning point in his decade-long career paved with remarkable success. His former forays into feverish, feeling-filled folk, Every Kingdom (2011) and I Forget Where We Were (2014), received multiple awards and public acclaim. The British songwriter surfed this wave with Noonday Dream, a collection of code-breaking songs worked into an enveloping production of dense textures and sound strata. This emancipation is reminiscent of the giant steps taken by Radiohead with OK Computer or the work of Swedish José González with his band Junip. The wave continued rolling in 2021 when Ben Howard released the beautiful Collections from the Whiteout, recorded with producer Aaron Dessner (The National), and its transposition to a live stage is highly anticipated.

Timetable

7:30pm: doors
8pm: November Ultra
9pm: intermission
9:30pm: Ben Howard