Crying Out Loud is immersive and thoughtful and leaves you feeling uplifted despite the subject matter

Don't be fooled by the name.

Crying Out Loud may normally be an expression of irritation, but for composer Naomi Hammerton it's a powerful piece of music exploring our tears - both in sadness and joy.

She's ambitious in her vision, which is no surprise given her back catalogue of compositions - she's written music and sang on a number of well-known film scores - and noteworthy career.

But this time she's showcasing her music a bit closer to home - in Kent - and with her two choirs Neptunes Choir (@neptuneschoir) and London-based Kings Place.

Neptunes' humble beginnings started in Hammerton's garden in Broadstairs in 2021, with 20 tentative choir virgins sat in camping chairs, as the world emerged from lockdown a little bruised.

Fast forward a year, and five or so performances later, there are now some 50 members, singing loud and proud to paying audiences. (It's a community choir so the money goes to good causes in Thanet.)

But Crying Out Loud is perhaps the choir's most anticipated performance to date, not least because Hammerton has penned the music herself.

It promises a night of music, art and a dose of weeping, with the piece set to explore the power of tears, both in sadness and intense joy.

The choir is joined by a string quartet, pianist Jack Greenslade and artist Bernie Gardner on drums.

There are no breaks in between the music; this is one emotional yet uplifting piece, interspersed with poignant, at times funny and sweet, voiceovers from people expressing what crying means to them.

Moving artwork by Bernie Gardner, created to fit with each movement of music, is projected between the choir during the performance, and the colourful, ever-changing images help fully immerse you in the moment.

It's a stirring musical journey, with church-like beginnings with the stunning opener Dondo, to the clever and intricate Imaginary Tigers and the upbeat Fly Away Jonny which ends with you wanting to clap your hands and join in.

You find yourself swept along with Mother, Birds and then Loved, which includes a beautiful solo, and you can't help, at times, feel the prick of tears, which is quite apt and undoubtedly intentional from Hammerton.

Another stand out is False Alarm, it's powerful and hits you hard, and then the piece comes to a close with For Air, beginning softly and ending with a crescendo of the words 'I promise I will get it right this time' - leaving you feeling goosebumped delight.

The music is beautiful and Hammerton conducts her choir with such enthusiasm you can't really take your eyes off her.

She knows what she wants from them and she gets it.

Crying Out Loud is immersive and thoughtful and leaves you feeling uplifted despite the subject matter. It may have ended with some of us in tears, but for all the right reasons.