Portland Arms, Cambridge
Tuesday 4th February 2024
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EMILY BARKER – CAMBRIDGE – LIVE REVIEW
Emily Barker has been nothing short of a prolific songwriter since first making her name here in the UK. But as the Australian native shares so fondly this evening, it was here in Cambridge where her journey began. Her show at the fantastic Portland Arms could therefore be regarded as something of a homecoming show – just 9,000 miles from home!
The venue is packed and rightfully so as fans gather to hear tracks from her phenomenal 2024 album, ‘Fragile as Humans’, brought to life on stage. Before then however, we have another UK thriving Aussie songwriter as Liz Stringer serenades the audience with songs and stories from her life.
Each song is superbly crafted to deliver the powerful lyrics in which Stringer explores her life, and the wisdom gained whilst overcoming the challenges that life presents. Stringers’ personable and down to earth demeanour endear her to the crowd instantly and her time on stage feels all too short.
That is naturally a good sign and thankfully as she closes her performance with a great rendition of ‘Anyone’, that isn’t the last the crowd gets to see of her this evening!
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘ANYONE’ FROM LIZ STRINGER
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Soon enough, it’s time for Emily Barker and her band to make their way through the crowd and on to the intimate stage. As with Stringer before, Barker has an enate ability to engage with the audience and make it feel like you are stood watching her whilst sat in your living room.
There is a respect from the audience and even during her most delicate songs you could hear a pin drop in the crowd. Barker has built her reputation over two decades of creative ingenuity, and that prolificacy shows no signs of dissipating.
Her latest effort ‘Fragile as Humans’ is proof in itself and its these songs that take centre stage this evening. These delicately constructed songs are amongst the best that Barker has produced in her career and that frankly is saying something!
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘THE QUIET WAYS’ FROM EMILY BARKER
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From sensational opener ‘With Small We Start’, through the sublime ‘The Quiet Ways’, to the title track itself, each song from the album excels in the live setting. Other favourites and deep cuts including ‘Nostalgia’ and ‘Ghost Narrative’ help to fill out what is a mesmerising ninety minutes.
Stringer returns to the stage to accompany Barker on select songs including main set closer ‘Machine’, which accentuates the special feeling of the evening. An encore of new track ‘Bight Idea’ (or Brightest Day as one audience member calls out) and ‘Dear River’ is a wonderful way to close out a beautiful evening.
Barker is an enthralling songwriter and mesmeric live performer. Her songs are packed with meaning and performed with grace. So, do the right thing and seize any opportunity you get to witness this magic for yourself!
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Watch Episode 61 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Emily Barker!
