Star
rating – 7/10
This was a less atmospheric occasion
than last year’s gig at Manchester Cathedral – but then venue counts for so
much – and the Apollo, when fully seated, does not often help to create those
special evenings that you remember for a long time. Laura Marling attracts a
very eclectic crowd, both new fans and old folkies alike, which is always a refreshing
mix. She treated them all to a great mix of beautiful tunes from her three acclaimed
studio albums, not to mention a couple of Mercury nods to boot.
She is a very endearing and
confident performer, who does not hog the limelight but shares the stage
generously with her five piece band. And boy does she have a large selection of
acoustic guitars...
She performed one new song, ‘Pray
For Me’, but mainly stayed with tried and tested tracks from her albums. And
despite one maverick heckler’s pleas for her to get the crowd going, tonight
she preferred to quietly satisfy them – with no complaints. A particular
highlight was ‘Night After Night’, which seemed much more powerful and stirring
than the very gentle version on her latest CD ‘A Creature I Don’t Know’. ‘Sophia’
sounded beautiful and confessional. And ‘Goodbye
England’ was a poetic reminder of her English heritage and roots.
Laura Marling didn’t set the world
on fire tonight, but she did quietly and confidently entertain the Apollo
crowd, and give as good a Friday night’s gentle entertainment as it is probably
right to expect.
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