In June of 2009 I opened up the Willkommen showcase at Union Chapel (by ..Arctic Circle..). I did this with some friends and choristers, and some people wrote things about it. Some people even said whether they liked it or not, but the Independent is above such partisanship.

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“Singer-songwriter Rowan Coupland (who plays woodwind in Shoreline and Sons), processing around the chapel followed by the "Willkommen Choir", cajoling the early audience arrivals to join in.”

-The Independent, ****

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“First up, Rowan Coupland enhanced the general state of wonder by eschewing his microphone and exploring the aisles of the chapel, followed by his choir of kindly friends. His attempts to instigate a sing-along were rather optimistic for an audience who'd barely sat down, but the points when his voice filled the beauteous arches of this building (which was made for choir-singing after all) were very special indeed.”

-For Folk’s Sake....

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“Rowan Coupland, acoustic guitar in hand, leading a choir of people rather bizarrely in a procession from the floor at the side of the stage and onto the stage itself, like something from a Nativity play.”

-Earz Mag....

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“Rowan Coupland was first. He was accompanied by a choir and they utilised the gorgeous acoustics of Union Chapel perfectly, wandering up and down the aisles singing and playing with their voices reverberating around the epic church. Beautiful! At times he reminded me of Final Fantasy, especially during his more dramatic moments whilst singing over the top of the choir ( and at one point he flung himself onto the ground). I loved his set and he did a brilliant job of opening up the show.”

-AnikaInLondon....

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Manchild cherub ROWAN COUPLAND opens the show, serenading the arriving punters as soon as the doors are unbolted. Wandering amongst the pews with harp, guitar and a motley crew of a chorus in tow, Coupland's attempts at audience participation don't quite work out as planned - it's a brave attempt, but ultimately foolhardy to ask a stranger, fresh from the tube to sing along - where's the foreplay?

Luckily Coupland succeeds in charming, with a syrupy minstrel-ish tone that fills the awesome space around him. He will pop up again throughout the night, moonlighting in a variety of bands. It's a leitmotif that characterises the very essence of the Wilkommen family.....

-WhisperinAndHollerin....