An air of anticipation filled the Royal Festival Hall, as Brian Eno made a rare live appearance in London. The final date in what is being cited as his only tour, was a performance of two halves. The first concentrating on a moody swelling orchestral rendition of his 2016 album The Ship, which has been reissued in remastered form on ‘coke bottle green’ vinyl.

It opened with The Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra filing slowly onto stage. Treading hauntingly through a red misty haze, the hall was immersed in the sound of drones, whistles and squawks. Opening with the title track, Eno’s distorted vocals floated in with shanty melodies “The ship was from the willing land, the waves about its roll”.

The symphonic voyage continued as the orchestra added a choreographic element, swaying back and forth across the stage lead by conductor Kristjan Järvi. With Eno stood atop a platform taking command of the show. As they played out the three remaining arrangements under the umbrella track ‘Fickle Sun’, Eno’s vocals switched from grave low bass melodies back to spoken word. With textural snippets of “hammer of toil” and “velvet of strong optimism’, the group steered the room with ease through dark poetic depths.

The first half concluded with Eno’s cover of the Velvet Underground’s ‘I’m Set Free’. This layered choral effect was uplifting and hopeful. The stage turned still as the power of the interweaving gospel-soaked vocals and bright lights raised the energy to new heights. The audience broke out in celebratory applause.

The second half was one of nostalgia and reflection. Eno performed tracks from a 50 year back catalogue. A beautifully stark harp solo’d on ‘By This River’ before the ensemble performed tracks such as ‘Who Gives A Thought’ and ‘And Then So Clear’.

Eno made an emotional plea for a ceasefire in the Middle East as he introduced ‘Bone Bomb’. Inspired by a story from a newspaper in 2004 about a Palestinian suicide bomber, the piece was as relevant and poignant today as it was twenty years ago.

The hall was brought to a standing ovation, as the audience delighted in the spectacle they had just experienced. Despite serious and reflective moments, there was a light heartedness that buoyed the room and this felt like a night of celebration. A chance to celebrate hope, creativity and the power of humanity.

Photos ©: Pete Woodhead