A generous performer lets you in on part of themselves when they take to the stage. Having been let into Laura Marling's world through her captivating debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim, I was eager to see what more she could bring to top something as truly wonderful as that. To my excitement, I was not let down.
With a newly cropped head of hair, Marling took to the stage at Bannerman's in a heat that only the devil himself would be able to stand. At many points the sweat was dripping from the roof, an expression I purely thought to be metaphorical. Marling opened her set with "Shine," one of the tracks on the album that I found to be more enjoyable after each listen. When live, the fragile quality of Marling's words gave the song an extra gusto; I knew then that we were there to witness something great.
Following "Shine," we were given "Ghosts," one of the singles taken from her album. As the band kicked in to the rousing finale, the heat in the air seemed to disappear completely, leaving everyone in that sweaty room with nothing more than joy. A mention also has to go to her band, comprised of violin, piano, guitar and drums, that magically brought to life the album that had found its way right under my skin.
Although her set was short (there were only ten songs, two of which were B-Sides or unreleased), Marling did end with a rousing performance of "Alas, I Cannot Swim" (found on the iTunes Live Album). I, at first, felt slightly cheated by someone that I admire so much. Looking back, I realise that this was the perfect collection of songs to perform, giving away something but keeping something for herself. By this, I mean that she failed to perform "New Romantic," a song of lost love, something that Amy Winehouse would revel in, but Marling it seems would rather it kept private.
Overall, I was captivated by her performance. Two dates was not enough, and if she ever is to return to Edinburgh I highly recommend that you go and see for yourself. And be prepared to witness, something of real truth and beauty.
Times: Aug 12 and 13 at 19:00