At St Michael and All Angels Church, Friday 13 July 2012. With the release of his third album under the Lawrence Arabia pseudonym, Christchurch-native songwriter James Milne decided a special opening show was in order.
Andrew Keoghan
Andrew Keoghan opened the evening in the imposing surrounds of the church. His debut album Arctic Tales Divide had received considerable praise since its release the previous year, picking up a Taite Music Prize nomination — the same award James Milne won in the inaugural 2010 competition. Keoghan plays guitar, piano and violin, looping layers of sound to create evocative arrangements. The album’s central theme of escape and longing for isolation found a perfectly matched setting in the church’s soaring wooden arches.
Lawrence Arabia
St Michael and All Angels is one of the most majestic churches left in Christchurch after the earthquakes — walls formed from great arches of wood, strong and comforting. The venue’s ethereal atmosphere suited Milne’s music perfectly. The Sparrow features an expanded sound, with a string quartet deployed both on the album and in this enchanting live show, augmenting Milne’s charming melodies and dynamic arrangements. The show was structured as a vinyl record — Milne labelling the first songs ‘Side A’, performed in order, with older songs bridging the gap before ‘Side B’ closed the evening. Milne was witty throughout; the sombre Bicycle Riding and album highlight The Bisexual stood out as key songs.
