The evening was in two parts, singer/songwriter Martha Wainwrights much anticipated 20th anniversary show was underway, and tonight she would be playing two sets for a very lucky audience.
The venue was New Century Hall, a chameleon of venues seemingly able to host a wide variety of events seamlessly, with this one, an intimate, seated affair with a sense of calm and tranquility, unlike the PIGS X7 gig I attended here just a few weeks ago.
Wainwright chats between songs, making this a little more than just your average show. The singer is celebrating twenty years in the industry, having taken a step away from her famous family and going at it alone. Many are glad she did. That first album was played out this evening and the set started with the beautiful ‘Far Away’.
I have never seen Wainwright live before but her vocals are simply mesmerising, teamed with the gentle harmonies and a talented backing band, we knew we were in for a wonderful evening of exceptional song writing. The first half was filled with hits including ‘Ball and Chain’ and ‘Bring Back my Heart’. The intermission was an opportunity to absorb the energy in the room and a time to reflect before set two commenced.
Set two was equally as special, with Wainwright at one point paying tribute to her bother Rufus’s musical career by covering his track ‘Dinner at Eight’ and it was a cool spin on the delivery of it. The second set drew to a close with ‘Factory’ and Wainwright had one more song up her sleeve for the encore, ‘Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole’ a perfect way to end what was an incredibly special evening of live music. I would put Wainwright up there with one of the best vocalists I have seen this year.
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