Dead Can Dance in Zürich

After arriving at the train station of Zürich, we went along the Limmatquai to Nachtflug for a quick amber. Then it was finally time to cross the Limmat river and head to Kongresshaus for the eagerly awaited concert with Dead Can Dance.

Dead Can Dance consists of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard, a duo who started creating music way back in 1981. They were once a couple but both the relationship and the band were disbanded almost two decades ago.

Somehow they reformed the band in 2011 and released a new album. Unfortunately they seem to avoid Sweden, so I had to go south in Europe to catch them.

Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard, Dead Can Dance in Zürich.

The Kongresshaus was filled with people clad in black, the air buzzing with anticipation to finally see the classic band back again. Brendan Perry is a great singer and his rich baritone really shines on some songs, but it was the ethereal voice of Lisa Gerrard that truly electrified the large hall. As the setlist reached Host of Seraphim, it felt like no one in the audience dared to breathe for five minutes as the voice went from the deepest darkness to the mezzo-soprano heights.

After the concert, the black-clad audience quickly dispersed in the darkness and we were left on the banks of Limmat to wonder if it was all a dream.

Update: Read the review at Reflections of Darkness.