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Quiet Houses, originally from Edinburgh, back in their city, at Christmas time, with friends and family in attendance, perfect ingredients for an amazing gig night. Hannah and Jamie came to deliver the presents home and they served up a treat for all in attendance. Cabaret Voltaire is an amazing almost claustrophobic venue, down in the cellars, arched stone ceilings, very dark and atmospheric but has to be the best way to see an upcoming band showcase their talents.
Hannah Elliott and Jamie Stewart are Quiet Houses, known each other for years and after writing songs together they decided to share their indie-pop music to the world in 2021. Now with a couple of EP’s released and a third on the way (3rd January 2025, save the date!) with an album on the horizon for next year. This was the second of a couple of special headline year ending gigs, the first in London, where they are now based and tonights event.
After a superb opening performance by Zoe Graham (see my previous review of Zoe!) Quiet Houses jumped on to stage, alongside drummer George Purnell and keyboard player Amy Jaggs , special mention to Amy as she only met band for first time a few days before the first gig but did an amazing job! The opening song, Ocean Avenue, was quickly followed by the latest single New Obsession which went down a storm.
After a hello from the guys we had 2 songs from the upcoming EP release, Carried Away and Facts & Figures, the latter about “growing up” in your 20’s both enthusiastically received. Next up was a crowd favourite and the bands biggest song to date Cold Water Swimming, a dreamy almost folky song which highlights Hannah’s ethereal vocals. After the applause has subsided we get my personal favourite song, See for Miles, a roller coaster ride of emotions, perfectly delivered. Another new notable song in the set is “I’m not yours” played for only the second time live and yes Hannah you did seem to remember all the lyrics this time!
The penultimate song is the duo’s most raucous, What My Heart Is For, a guitar driven catchy number with much rocking out around the stage. We finish up with yet another crowd fave, Hot & Clumsy, which has everyone singing and bopping along to. And before we know it, that’s all folks. A fantastic gig and a band destined for bigger audiences and bigger stages but those lucky enough to be in attendance won’t be forgetting this night anytime soon. If you only follow one new band next year , do yourself a huge favour and make it Quiet Houses, you will be glad you did!
A Triumphant Return: The Restored Organ of St Peter and St Paul
On 1 March 2025, the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, marked a major milestone—the first performance on its 235-year-old organ since its comprehensive restoration. Silent since 2020, this remarkable instrument—famously played by Sir Elton John in Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)—has now been fully revived, bringing its powerful voice back to the chapel’s historic setting.
The Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Choir, led by Dr Ralph Allwood MBE, delivered a superb performance alongside organists Jonathan Eyre and Alexander Knight. Introducing the show, Allwood reflected on choral music as a powerful act of collaboration, essential to human success—a fitting message for an evening that honoured both history and renewal.
The programme balanced organ solos and choral works, making full use of the chapel’s acoustics. Parry’s 'I Was Glad' and Widor’s 'Messe à deux choeurs et deux orgues' were highlights, while the organ’s placement at the rear allowed for moments of reflection as the audience faced Benjamin West’s towering 25-foot tall 'Preservation of St Paul after a Shipwreck at Malta'.
The evening also marked a transition, bidding farewell to Jonathan Eyre and welcoming Alexander Knight as the new organist. With its historic organ restored to full splendour, the chapel remains an outstanding venue for worship and music—well worth a visit.
