The emerging songwriter put on a show for all the senses.
A cold winters night couldn’t keep anyone away from Howler on Friday night. Eaglemont opened up the show in solo mode, her honest vocals and powerful guitar strums winning over the rapidly-filling room. Eaglemont is compelling to watch and gives us a sweet taste of each song through little snippets of quirky and honest stories around the inspirations for each tune.
Next up Alexander Biggs took the stage. His music is brooding and reflective and sounds exactly like the soundtrack to your favourite indie movie. His lyrics and melodies stir up a range of powerful emotions leaving the crowd humble and content.
Everyone waits patiently for BATTS to take the stage, not aware of the journey they are about to be taken on. She starts the show with samples of an authentic space track received directly through correspondence with NASA officials – a clever concept that is incorporated in her debut album The Grand Tour. She then pounds into album highlight ‘Mars’, setting the scene to what would be an evening of melancholy, sincerity and intensity.
BATTS performs with a quiet confidence. Her performance is confident in its artistry and thoroughly thought through. This is also reflected in the cohesiveness of her backing band which throughout the journey of her set engulf us with a perfect wall of sound.
Continuing the ride, a quick interlude is followed with the upbeat track ‘Shame’, and by now, everyone is moving their feet. Crashing back down to earth, we’re then treated to the contemplative ‘Folding Chairs’, a track notably recorded and mixed by BATTS herself.
If the audience thought for a second they couldn’t be moved anymore, next came ‘Dark Heart’ and ‘Waste Of My Time’. BATTS’ vocal projection combined with her lyricism and enthralling musicianship on stage is haunting and raw. The audience was moved wholeheartedly. The light show must be noted too, a big ol’ disco ball and space-themed lighting gave everyone a treat for the senses – a cinematic experience.
Nearing the end of the set, BATTS charmingly pulls out a crumpled white paper to thank all the people involved. She’s humble and thankful and lets us know she’s only got two songs left. She closes her set by playing ‘For Now’ and ‘For That, I’m Sorry’, two earlier songs she’s recorded, leaving the packed room in awe of her performance.
BATTS perfectly curated and constructed a cinematic night filled with a fusion of musicality, storytelling and authenticity. It was a grand tour indeed.
Highlight: The NASA sampled tracks.
Lowlight: Sticky carpets.
Crowd favourite: ‘Waste Of My Time’.
