After Inkubus Sukkubus' full-on rock, it took a couple of tracks for the Cruxshadows to realy get the audience into their own unique grove, but like the uber-polished professionals they are, they soon managed it, and settled down to do what they do best. The result was a truly impressive performance, and though the stage area denied Rogue any chance to indulge his passion for scenery-climbing, he more than made up for it by singing a good three quarters of their set while wandering randomly through the audience, at one point climbing a handy stepladder and striking a neat pose in front of one of the organisers' banners. This of course meant that the lovely Rachel on violin was left to dominate the stage itself.
A little way into the Cruxshadows' set, I took the opportunity to wander out of the venue itself and explore the darkened lawn beyond, with the band's pounding music following me while the gentle night airs of France flowed softly over me. Every sense was alive to the night, heightened by the magic Inkubus Sukkubus had already wrought, the land itself a living thing beneath my feet.
Lantern-lit trader's booths...
...open late into the night
Le Chateau de Vaux le Penil itself, floodlit against the dark
and here be the tavern. Cheers!
Back inside, and we were about half way through the Cruxshadows' set, Rouge belting out a solid mix of newer and classic tracks, including the wonderful "Dragonfly" from last year's EP. Towards the end of the main set, the crowd parted down the middle, with Rogue strolling to almost the back of the venue, while Rachel, violin and all, followed him into the crowd. By pure chance she ended up almost directly in front of where I was standing, where she remained, turning on the spot and playing like a concert maestro. I didn't take any pictures, somehow firing flashes into her face from such a close range just seemed wrong, especially as I think the violin is slightly more visual than the guitar, but I stood entranced while she worked yet more magic, less than a metre away.
They finished, of course, with Marylin, and as usual Rogue pulled several dozen people out of the audience and onto the stage for the final riotous choruses, this time managing to include Rob Sherlock in the haul!
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