Bella Union Announce Autumn 25th Anniversary Shows
Rounding off this year’s 25th anniversary celebrations Bella Union are thrilled to announce the first of two special shows at the Union Chapel this Autumn. Taking place on Friday 4th November, the first show announced will feature performances from Lowly, Colouring and Blue Luminaire. Commenting on the shows Bella Union boss Simon Raymonde says: “Over the 25 years of the label some of our most magical nights have been at Union Chapel so we wanted to round out the year with two special shows featuring artists from Bella Union.”
Lowly are from Denmark and have released two beautiful albums Heba (2017) and Hifalutin (2019) via Bella Union. Returning to the public eye last week with a stunning performance at Ypsigrock festival in Sicily within the grounds of the mediaeval castle, Lowly will be coming to London to headline the Union Chapel show. “I literally was in tears for most of the set and only realised later that I hadn’t taken one photo of them so transfixed was I. This is a band whose time is imminent. New songs of extraordinary emotional weight suggest something big is coming, so don’t miss out on a show that will certainly be one of the best of the year” says Simon Raymonde.
After a whirlwind period supporting The 1975 on tour and releasing EPs that caught the attention of Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens and Annie Mac, Nottingham-based artist Jack Kenworthy aka Colouring returns with his first live performance since before the pandemic, debuting work from his upcoming sophomore album due for release in 2023. The pandemic saw Kenworthy put together a body of kaleidoscopic alternative-pop songs with long-time collaborators Gianluca Buccellati (Arlo Parks, Biig Piig) and Mikko Gordon (Arcade Fire, Thom Yorke, The Smile), resulting in his 2021 debut album, Wake. Speaking of the upcoming show at the Union Chapel, Kenworthy said; ‘When Simon (Raymonde) offered me the slot, I couldn’t resist. Bella Union has such a rich tradition of progressive artists and remains at the forefront of independent music. To help them celebrate 25 years as a label at one of London’s most beautiful venues is a privilege. It’s going to be a special evening.’
Blue Luminaire is a new project from Oxford-born, Copenhagen-based composer, Nick Martin. As Blue Luminaire, Martin interrogates transitions, cycles and fresh starts with a tender and empathetic lens. On their debut album Terroir, released this month on Bella Union, Martin utilised their classical music training to create a unique and otherworldly sonic experience where past selves collide, and the universality of heartbreak, familial patterns and grief permeate. Terroir’s expansively meditative, mantra-like exploration of the self opens a soothing portal that urges connection in a world that aims to distract and deter. Aside from Blue Luminaire, Martin continues to write music for orchestras, ensembles and soloists, including Ensemble Intercontemporain, Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Copenhagen Phil and Concerto Copenhagen.
