Written: 21st March 2025
The last time I witnessed Wardruna playing in London, it was at the Royal Festival Hall where cellist Jo Quail ably supported them, a concert I thoroughly enjoyed. This time, the same line-up take to the stage at the prestigious and historic Royal Albert Hall for another night of music that can only be described as utterly mesmerising.
It was pleasing to see that a good percentage of the audience were present for Jo Quail’s thirty minute set. Making use of looping technology and moments of percussive backing together with her engaging playing style, she treats us to three tracks that make beguiling use of ranging of emotion, dynamics, timbres and textures. Rex Infractus – the opening track from her debut solo album From The Sea – begins with dark, ominous tones that build steadily throughout the piece. Throughout her set, which also includes new track Embrace and a stirring performance of Adder Stone, the audience are attentive, quiet and respectful - something that is sadly lacking a many a concert in recent years. Every single note can be heard and Jo Quail – who makes the point that this is a hometown concert for her – effortlessly captures the imagination of each member of the audience. Channelling a magnetic vitality, she infuses her performances with an electrifying energy, creating an experience so vivid it resonates deeply with the audience, as proved by the rapturous ovation she receives.
With Jo Quail having more than prepared the audience, the sense of anticipation grows as the time for Wardruna approaches. As the lights dim and the band take the stage within the murky shadows that remain, the crowd settle and the caw of the white raven fills the auditorium. Opening with the title track from Kvitravn, we are instantly transported into world of mythology and ancient transitions, all illustrated through the power of the band’s music. Connecting us not only to the past but drawing together the audience and band as one, Wardruna’s stage presence is a natural extension of their spectral and ethereal sonic landscapes. It is impossible not to be enthralled by the intricate beauty of their Nordic folk music, ritualistic rhythms, and the profound spiritual resonance they create.
With Einar Selvik as the visionary guide for Wardruna, there is obvious and seamless bond between the members. This fluid and instinctive rapport leads to a flawless delivery of every moment of every track they share with us. On tour to promote their latest album Birna, Wardruna play four tracks from this release which include the second song of the evening, Hertan and one of the best songs of their career, Lyfjaberg. The precise and pulsating rhythms continue to entrance the audience; by now time has no meaning and the evening seems to fly past in swirl of infinitely spellbinding allure.
The opening of Skugge is one of Wardruna’s most intoxicating moments and the respectful nature of those gathered in one of the world’s most famous venues continues just as it did during Jo Quail’s time on stage. I still find it incredible how Selvik manages to keep time on the complex rhythmic pattern he plays as he sings Solringen, one of my favourite tracks from Runaljod – Yggdrasil.
With each of the band’s albums represented within the set, Wardruna ensure that the variety across the evening is maintained. Other than the title track and Skugge, Kvitravn is further acknowledged through renditions of Vindavlarljod and Grá which both help to illustrate the different moods and auras that live within the band’s music. Each member of Wardruna makes a significant contribution to the band’s overall sound, with Lindy-Fay Hella’s vocals – sometimes diaphanous and ethereal, sometimes powerful and foreboding – the perfect foil for Einar Selvik’s compelling baritone. The band’s attire, dark and earthy, seamlessly blends with the stage’s natural world aesthetic. Their movements are deliberate and almost ceremonial, reinforcing the sense that this is not just a concert, but a ritual, a solemn act of storytelling that reaches back through the ages. The minimal lighting casts otherworldly glows around the band with mystical shadows on the simple backdrop, an effective approach that allows the music to be the centre of attention throughout.
The ensemble’s commitment to the use of traditional instruments further serves to immerse the audience in the authenticity of Nordic traditions: the undulating thrum of the drums and the haunting bowed lyres are not mere sounds, but a direct link to the past, as though the spirits of their ancestors had been summoned to speak through the music. The connection between the musicians and their instruments is palpable. Every note carries weight, every vibration is deliberate, invoking a deep emotional charge. Wardruna’s music unfolds in layers of chanting, drumming, and strings, with Selvik’s deep baritone voice soaring above it all, both commanding and delicate, his voice conveying an emotive rawness, capturing the duality of strength and vulnerability. Following exquisite recitals of Tyr, Isa and Rotlaust Tre Fell, the hypnotic Fehu is another personal highlight.
As always, Einar Selvik does not talk to the audience until the show is reaching its conclusion. On this occasion, the ecstatic cheers and applause are such that he has to wait several times for them to abate. When he does manage to speak, he expresses his awe at having performed in such a venue and his appreciation for the audience in making it such a special occasion; his heartfelt words on human connection and the natural world are welcomed by all present. Wardruna truly value every person that shows an interest in their music, attends their concerts or buys their albums and as Selvik mentions, it is clear this is something they do not take for granted. After he explains that the next song is one that is at the heart of everything Wardruna stand for, fiery torches are lit on the stage and a wholeheartedly moving rendition of Helvegen follows. After another round of exultant applause, Selvik remains alone on the stage to give a solo performance of Hibjørnen from Birna, an album that pays tribute to the bear. Hibjørnen – a lullaby told from a bear’s perspective – is a bewitching way to end the evening.
A transformative and transcendent event, this has not simply been a concert, but an opportunity to step into the past, guided by the resonant forces of ancient music. Wardruna's ability to evoke deep, primal emotions through their expertly crafted soundscapes, combined with their reverence for Norse traditions and rituals, makes the evening unforgettable, reaffirming their unique place in the world of music.
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