Yes this happened a couple of weeks ago now, but it was a one off concert that Martha slotted between her gigs supporting Snow Patrol at the Royal Albert Hall so it’s not like I’ve missed out on alerting you to an ongoing tour by not posting it sooner.
At this point my love for Martha Wainright (and her brother Rufus) should be well known, and this was a lovely, intimate gig in a new to me venue – the Tabernacle in Notting Hill. She put out a warning on her instagram the day before that there was no opening act and that she’d be on straight away at 7.30, so of course being perpetually early I was there for the doors opening at 6.30 and got a spot in the front row. Of course then I had to hang around in it for an hour before the show started, but the floor was clean and I had a book (and a pint of cider) so it wasn’t exactly a hardship!
There were a bunch of the old favourites here but the main purpose was for her to preview some of the songs from her upcoming album. I’ve seen Martha a few times, but not doing a solo set like this (ie just her and her guitar) since the very first time I saw her at The Stables near Milton Keynes when she was touring the Come Home to Mama album more than a decade ago. Her songs sound good with a band – but they’re also great when it’s just her on her own. We did have a few songs with her and a sax, but they were the minority. Her chat between songs was hilarious – as she lamented her younger self’s propensity for alternate guitar tunings and her difficulties in remembering them now. All in all, a lovely night and a real treat – and I’m looking forward to the new album when it comes out next year.
Have a good Sunday!
