Hayden Thorpe - Ness
Live Music Performance with Q&A
We're delighted that musician Hayden Thorpe is bringing his stunning musical adaptation of Robert Macfarlane’s Ness directly to The Portobello Bookshop as part of a tour of unique in-store performances featuring music and conversation. We can't wait to enjoy a music-filled evening in the bookshop!
Best known as the former frontman of Wild Beasts, for his third solo album Thorpe undertook a beautifully unlikely musical journey converting into song Macfarlane’s epic poem about former MOD weapons development, now nature reserve, Orford Ness.
Not only does the album celebrate the beauty and power of a returned natural wonder - it also poses questions about the price of progress and win-at-all-costs politics. This formidable collection of songs does what only art can do, raising consciousness through sheer audacity and beauty. Robert Macfarlane himself describes the music of Ness as “wonderful alchemy.”
Join us for an intimate performance among the bookshelves not to be missed.
Clash Magazine - 9/10
“unlike anything else you’ll hear all year. A remarkable, absorbing, often stunning experience”.
MOJO - 4/5
“Intriguing, rich and strange”
UNCUT - 8/10
“A wonderfully original piece of work”
Hi-Fi Choice - 4/5
“Strange and beguiling new odyssey”
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Hayden Thorpe Author
Hayden Thorpe came to prominence as the lead singer and chief songwriter for the much-celebrated band Wild Beasts who released five acclaimed albums on Domino Records before disbanding.
Hayden has since released three solo albums on Domino; Diviner, a critically adored work of solitude and fragility. Sophomore album Moondust For My Diamond, a work that is galvanising, reassuring, elegant, seductive and oozing in Big Cosmic Energy.
September 2024 saw the release of Ness, an album of rare ambition and singular beauty made in collaboration with best-selling nature writer Robert Macfarlane.
Known for his distinctive voice and sultry compositions, Thorpe’s return to Cumbria marks a new era for his craft reflective of the natural environment he lives surrounded by.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.