Gig Review: The Weather Station

From the triumphant euphony of opener Wear to the thrilling intensity of set highlight Robber The Weather Station manage to realise a perfect blend of soaring soundscapes and enchanting intimacy

There’s a palpable sense of relief sweeping through Scala’s packed out auditorium as Tamara Lindeman’s The Weather Station take to the stage. Lindeman herself joking that it seems surreal to finally be playing the long-awaited London gig after numerous pandemic enforced postponements. Their appearance at Scala might have been a long time coming but it soon transpires that good things come to those who wait. 

From the triumphant euphony of opener Wear to the thrilling intensity of set highlight Robber The Weather Station manage to realise a perfect blend of soaring soundscapes and enchanting intimacy, with Lindeman’s vocals probably worth the admission fee alone. 

Lindeman has come a long way since she first conceived The Weather Station back in 2009 with her self-released debut The Line. The growth and development from humble folk beginnings through to the rich symphonious sounds on display here is staggering. This is their first London show since the release of 2021s universally acclaimed album Ignorance and it’s clear the album and its more ambitious offerings have garnered The Weather Station a legion of new fans. 

Lindeman’s vision is realised by her five-piece band that is kept in line by the ever-reliable rhythm section of Ben Whitely on bass and Evan Cartwright on drums and embellished by Will Kidman on guitar and Johnny Spence on keys. But it’s the haunting sounds of Karen Ng’s sax-clarinet that really elevates things and shatters any notion that this is merely a backing band. At times they almost reach orchestral heights and you find yourself doing a quick head-count to make sure that it really is just the five of them plus Lindeman on stage. 

The Weather Station’s ability to retain a sense of intimacy despite an ever-growing audience is to be commended. A distinct lack of elevated smartphones is a testament to the attention that their music demands. Midway through the set when Lindeman pauses to address her audience she seems almost apologetic for taking up our time. Gradually she grows in confidence as she speaks of finding her voice and feeling that for the first time in her life she’s being heard. This reflects The Weather Station perfectly, a project that now appears to have found its own unique sound and identity, and is finally getting the attention that it deserves. 

As they embark on the rest of their European and U.S tour here’s hoping that this time we won't have to wait quite so long for them to return.