Billie Marten
I’ve always said that if you can, you should try and see the support at gigs: support slots help get lesser-known acts in front of an audience, and you might well discover your new favourite if you pitch up in time for doors. The support warms up the audience for the main act so that you’re ready to hear some great tunes by the time the headliner appears. Think of support as a little musical recommendation from whoever you’ve been to seen – the idea is usually a ‘we think you’d also like…’ vibe.
The support acts for Billie Marten were Aphra and Laura Goldthorp; and if you like Billie Marten, we think you’re also going to like these ladies. Aphra opened up, with a mix of her own songs and a Beyoncé medley – what more could you ask for? Laura Goldthorp’s set again consisted of a number of original songs including Just Slow (first song, “about a boy on a bus”) and new track Candy Shops (out October 23rd). The highlight for me though was Laura’s delicate cover of Leonard Cohen’s Paper-Thin Hotel. Both Aphra and Laura hang around in these parts, so try and catch them if you can (or look them up on the social medias).
When Billie Marten took to the stage with her guitar, she treated us to a selection of her hits (Heavy Weather, Emily, Lionhearted, She Dances), as well as newer track Cartoon People (about ‘the love affair between Trump and his daughter’). Waterfront Studio is one of Norwich’s great smaller venues, and it really suited Billie’s conversational performance style. Just before her final two songs (Mice and Honey & Milk), Billie informed everyone she’d be over by the merch table at the back once she was done, and that there would be both vinyl and cake. While Billie is growing in popularity, and is a bit of an internet sensation, I just can’t imagine her style in bigger venues. Like Daughter and Lucy Rose, some acts are best when they’re right up close with the audience. It makes us feel like old friends.
