Amanda Palmer at Union Chapel

Amanda Palmer played the Union Chapel up in Islington this evening, a church with a pulpit on the stage. It's a nice venue, a bit different from the usual gig venues, lots of atmosphere and atmospheric lights (that's code for not enough light for my little camera to take any good photos at a distance from the stage). After a trip to the bar to discover they sell Guinness (in cans, unfortunately), downing it since alcohol is not allowed in the church proper, I found a seat in the second row of the balcony right in front of the stage so a good view was assured.

I missed most of Polly Scattergood, the support act, so don't really have anything to say about her other than her voice seemed a bit lost and echo-y in the church but whether that was her, the equipment or the venue, I couldn't say. Amanda also sounded a bit echo-y - I wonder if it was because I was in the balcony which opened up cubic acres of space up into the vaulted roof.

Amanda came on shortly after 8.30pm and scooted round the back of the pulpit to play on the big church organ (oo-er) and then came to the front of the stage to take her place behind her Kurtweil piano and launched into 'Missed Me' and 'Astronaut'. That set the tone for the rest of the show, a mix of Dresden Dolls songs and songs from 'Who Killed...', a nice mix and a timely reminder that Amanda has been around for a while and has a great catalogue of songs to choose from when playing live. She admitted to not really having a set list for the show and invited requests a couple of times. She also forgot the tune and words to songs a few times - she blamed being in a church for the problems. There was also an artist on stage behind her, painting throughout the show - it'll be finished tomorrow night.

Favourites in the main set were the lovely 'Ampersand', 'Runs In The Family', 'Mandy Goes To Med School', 'Sex Changes', and 'Blake Says'. Amanda also played a duet with Polly Scattergood (who stood in the balcony behind the stage) in the rather odd shape of 'Puff The Magic Dragon' followed by 'Delilah' with Polly's drummer (who did his best but he's no Brian Viglione) and then got Polly and her band on stage to finish off with 'Oasis', a great way to finish the show on a high. Amanda introduced it by saying, 'We're all going to hell...'.

Much clapping and stomping later, Amanda appeared on the balcony to sing 'Makin' Whoopie' with her ukelele and then went back to the stage for a lovely version of 'The Point Of It All' before finishing with 'Half Jack' (the echoing vocals really worked in this song). A spectacular way to end!

So, that's show one over, and I have tomorrow to look forward to...