Auri - Union Chapel London

The Union Chapel

A rare foray down to the capital for a midweek gig. I let the train take the train down to Euston. A very reasonable £9 for a single ticket. I will be catching up with a couple of friends at the venue and travelling back with them to Bedford all being well. It's a lovely sunny day, my plan was to walk to Islington and still arrive in good time to get a good spot in the queue. I've never been good with Google maps, and soon got lost on Grays Inn Road. I made the decision to abandon the idea of walking and made my way back to Euston to catch the Tube. Amazingly 'Highbury and Islington' tube station is only two stops on the Victoria line. The Union Chapel is just round the corner to the right. I did have to ask for directions though...  A small gathering had already arrived two hours before the doors would open. 

The Union Chapel is an architectural treasure , and really is a working church. Since 1992, Union Chapel has been hosting concerts and events. This has grown over the years and they now have hundreds of events a year. A not for profit organisation. Profits generated from hiring the venue and from sales in the Bar go to the conservation and development of the building. Built in the Victorian Gothic style of architecture , services are held every Sunday at 11AM. 

It's a very pleasant afternoon for standing in a queue. I'm 5th in line and the company is good. Some stewards emerge and set up a separate queue for the 'Meet and Greeters'. I understand they have paid £45 to meet the band and get stuff signed etc. Strikes me as a slightly ironic as this is more than the ticket actually cost. Still, a nice little earner for the band. I don't begrudge them that at all, making a tour pay is extremely difficult. Merch sales are usually what makes the difference between profit and loss. A third queue also emerges, this one is for those who have pre-booked a meal. Hope that's cleared everything up as far as queuing goes? My friends have arrived and we soon make our way inside the venue a little after 7PM.

 

Johanna Kurkela

It is a very dignified entrance, no mad dash to get the best seats. I opt for centre stage, some seven or eight rows back. There are no seat numbers of course because we are in church pews. I find myself next to my friend from the Queue David. He has brought his camera and has promised to share any photos I might need. Anyway, without any further ado lets get down to Auri!   

Auri are described as a Finnish progressive rock band. The band was formed by Tuomas Holpainen (Nightwish) keyboards and backing vocals, his wife Johanna Kurkela, vocals, violin, viola, keyboards, and Troy Donockley (Nightwish), guitars, bouzouki,  Uilleann pipes and vocals. Joining them on drums is Kai Hahto of Wintersun and Nightwish. Other guest musicians will also be joining them on this tour. This being their first ever European Tour celebrating the third album 'Candles and Beginnings'. The lights dim, a hush gathers as the show begins. We start with the title track from the second album 'Those we don't speak of'. Although I'm very unfamiliar with most of the songs to be perfectly honest. This is very much a journey into the unknown, something that is very different for me. As  a long term Nightwish follower it would be remiss not to check it out as they say. 

Kai Hahto

The songs are gentle, melodic and at times whimsical with poetic license to delve into the slightly eccentric perhaps? They do remind mind in many ways of 'Blackmore's Night and the neo-medieval music they make. Also hints of the wonderful Loreena Mckennitt too. It is a far cry from the pounding stage show of a Nightwish gig. Nonetheless it is captivating all the same , just in a more atmospheric almost mindful type way. The performance is made up of two halves. We take a 20 minute break, a chance to explore the building in a little more detail. The band return, Johanna has changed into another flowing dress of the orange variety. It compliments her hair, I then start thinking how long it must take to wash and dry? Her hair that is not the dress! Stop it , I say to myself and hastily get back into the vibe.

The Auri Tour started on August 13, 2025, in Kitee, Finland, and will wind its way through several European countries, including . cities like London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Stockholm. The tour ends on October 10th in Bergen, Norway. The second half follows very much in the same vein as the first.With the odd exception there is nothing that I would call upbeat or rousing. It feels like Troy is being underused with his array of  pipes. It is all very pleasant though in a fairy-tale kind of way. You just have to let yourself go with the sense of awe and storytelling. I think I have struggled largely by being so unfamiliar with their catalogue of work.