Tower Hamlets Area Guide

Gabriel Moreno launches his six studio album, Nights In The Belly of Bohemia. Accompanied by The infamous Quivering Poets, he will be performing most of the songs of the record plus some old favourites such as Silly Old Dreams and Lena Kalinka. There will also be readings of the new poetry book with the same name. The entire album and the book are an ode to Bohemia understood as a place of resistance to the political farce and to the capitalist debacle. The songs yearn for deeper connections and more poetical realities. Expect a night of communal dreams, joy, longing, desire and a lot of movement in the psyche and in the shoulders. Taking place at the Bohemian temple of the Jamboree at the centre of spider web of London, Kings Cross. The Quivering Poets will include Juampi Mauro on bass, Richard Moore on violin and special quivering guests. Support will come from acclaimed poet Greta Bellamacina, Folk Empress Fiona Fey and guitar maestro Ty Watling Gabriel Moreno BIO GABRIEL MORENO is Gibraltarian singer-songwriter, currently based in London. An irresistibly engaging performer, he combines a latin exuberance and passion with a rare lyrical calibre (he is also an accomplished poet, with 12 books published to date). He has thrilled audiences across South America, the USA and Europe, including recent sets at UK festivals Wilderness, The Great British Folk Festival and Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, and has been championed by the likes of BBC 6 Music's Cerys Matthews, with his sonorous baritone and poetical lyrics often seeing him compared to such luminary wordsmiths as Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and Bill Callahan. Moreno's unique artistic voice lies in the meeting and fusion of different identities. Born and raised in Gibraltar, a British territory bordering southern Spain and just 8 miles from Africa, he has since lived and performed across the world, absorbing influences from music, literature and art everywhere he went. Now considered one of the most compelling and distinctive artists in London's thriving folk and roots scene, he was previously the longtime curator and host of the legendary Lantern Society folk club, and in 2022 was awarded the title of Cultural Ambassador of Gibraltar. QUOTES "Moreno's warm voice engrosses and soothes. Meditative one moment and despairing the next, these unhurried songs offer spiritual succour and solidarity, a balm for our trying times" - Morning Star ★★★★★ The songs tread a path between Folk, Latin and cabaret torch song. It's an oddly effective mix which forms the perfect bed for Gabriel Moreno's distinctive voice -a blend of Leonard Cohen, Peter Sarstedt, and dare I say it, Rex Harrison. -(Trevor Raggart, RNR magazine) Moreno has indeed given us an album of the times. (Mike Davis, Folk Radio UK) An Offshoot of Leonard Cohen and Neil Diamond. I love it! (Cerys Mathews, BBC6) There is an enthusiasm and a poet's cadence to his lyrics and delivery, although Gabriel is also a fine guitarist and on WOUND IN THE NIGHT fronts an accomplished sympathetic band. Like THE YEAR OF THE RAT and his previous five albums, there is a considerable nod to the cafe noir of Jacques Brel, the languid resonant delivery of Jake Thackray and the romantic poetry of Leonard Cohen. Mark Higgins (Music Journalist) What sets Gabriel Moreno apart from his contemporaries, however, is his ever-intriguing usage of the English language to address socio-political issues. (Loz Etheridge, God Is In The TV) It is the tonal breath of Scott Walker, the application of Leonard Cohen, and the beauty, even undercover mischief in the form of sexuality that was given credence by the subtly of the likes of Patti Smith, that makes Gabriel Moreno stand out in a field of observational greats. (Ian D.Hall, Liverpool Sound and Vision) Even with all the musical expertise on display, all this still has the feel of an intimate one to one album, a letter, a prayer or a conversation, with the intimate nylon stringed acoustic prominent behind some almost spoken words. (Steve Burgess, Penny Black Music) Wound in The Night is an absorbing and engaging listen. At times on this album, he is the ideal person to fill the void left by Leonard Cohen. (David Pratt, Folk Radio UK) There is an enthusiasm and a poet's cadence to his lyrics and delivery, although Gabriel is also a fine guitarist and on WOUND IN THE NIGHT fronts an accomplished sympathetic band. Like THE YEAR OF THE RAT and his previous five albums, there is a considerable nod to the cafe noir of Jacques Brel, the languid resonant delivery of Jake Thackray and the romantic poetry of Leonard Cohen. (Marc Higgins, Fatea Magazine) Wound in the Night is, simply, brilliant. Be challenged. (Steve Clarke, TD1 Radio) From well presented solo to tracks with more layers and musicians but every song retains that heart and spirit of the troubadour who wants to live a life that gives them creative rather than material satisfaction. I suppose that's what marks out the true artist and Gabriel Moreno is certainly that. This is a very impressive album from a true artist.' (Tony Birch, Folking.com) ..with its hints of Jacques Brel as it ponders the title's existential question about the aftermath of love, though, with a line about aiming for the charts, it might also be about abandoning artistic integrity. (Mike Higgins, Fatea) ..the most gorgeous dark brown voice. Genevive Tudor (BBC Shropshire) ..the album blew my mind. Tim Walker (BBC Lincolnshire)