Joe Richards

“I shall gain me glory, or grim-death shall take me”, says the titular hero in the thousand-year-old epic poem. Last night, however, it was the turn of composer Iain Bell to seek a different kind of glory as his new adaptation of Beowulf (commissioned by the BBC) made its world première at Barbican Hall. Conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus was Martyn Brabbins, and they were joined by actor Ruth Wilson as narrator, and tenor Charles Styles (standing in for Stuart Skelton at short notice).

With themes such as life, death, reflection and the nature of humanity, there’s a risk that a Prom could end up feeling a touch on the heavy side – or overly gloomy – however, the pieces combine to provide as much light as shade across the course of the night.

Preceding their first album for over six years, GILMORE TRAIL today return with the graceful “Nocturne”; the final single to be cut from the upcoming ‘Impermanence’ LP. A world away from the tempestuous post-rock journeying of previous single “Echoes of Solitude”, “Nocturne” captures a quieter side of Gilmore Trail. Watch the new music video now!

Highline Ballroom is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.