Been a while since I wrote about any music on here; as previously mentioned on this site I see a lot of live rock gigs. It’s early in 2010 still, but last week I saw what I think could be the gig of the year for me already: Delain.

They’re a band that are new to me still; I only heard of them last winter when they visited this country as support to the Finnish band Sonata Arctica. I missed the chance to see them at that time, but when they announced they were to play a handful of dates in the UK again in March, I was keen to see them having by this time heard their latest album ‘April Rain’. Hailing from the Netherlands, they’re led by their keyboard player Martijn Westerholt. He originally envisaged the band as a studio-based project, based around himself and singer Charlotte Wessels, with guest musicians used as required. However as the project took off, they found themselves being urged to go out and play live, so a band was assembled for the road.

The nearest show to me on this tour was in Leeds, about an hour away from me and not a city I know well. Nevertheless I ventured across the Pennines, having never seen this band before I was unsure if their material would transfer across to the live setting well, especially since they used a number of guests. (‘April Rain’ was recorded by the new band, it must be pointed out). I need not have worried; despite the fact that both their guitarist and bassist from that album have since been replaced by new musicians, the band played a terrific set, with their young singer turning out to be a complete revelation. She really can sing live wonderfully well, and I genuinely believe I’ve seen a new superstar in the making.

The gig was so good I wanted to go and see another show – sadly that date was their final one in the UK for now so it will have to wait until next time. Once again, for a fuller write-up on this gig see my live reviews blog here.

I have seen many live gigs over the years and can count on one hand the times a new band has left such a strong impression on me; this band will go far – provided they can hold on to their singer.

Here is a live picture of the band which will give some idea of how small-scale their gig was; I predict they won’t be this small scale for long.

I’m indebted to youtube user ‘DEWEYJOVI’ for this clip, from this concert here is the track ‘Come Closer’: