Dickie Felton
“Wouldn’t you all just like to sit down?” asks Bille Marten half-way through her matinee show at Lancaster Library.
The all-standing crowd take her up on the offer and make themselves at home.
It’s the first time in more than three decades I’ve seen a crowd react in such a way. The last time was at a James gig in 1990 when they played ‘Sit Down’ which rather lent itself to a display of impromptu resting.
With the sold-out crowd sprawled on the floor there’s a beautifully relaxed atmosphere for Marten’s set of sensational songs.
I’ve never been so chilled out in my life. Until I get cramp in my lower left leg…
It’s a family affair as the songwriter’s mum and dad are in the audience watching their daughter shine backed by her excellent band.
Slow and atmospheric ‘Garden of Eden’ is the opener followed by the more rocky ‘Creature of Mine’. Both tracks – from Marten’s new ‘Flora Fauna’ album sound terrific.
Marten reminds me of a young Kate Stables of This is The Kit. Her music is folky, indie, catchy with a touch of Americana.
She produces an ace afternoon and it’s no problem when she misplaces various guitar accessories throughout her show. First a capo goes awry and then a plectrum.
But there is a cool casual calm to the carelessness – almost like it’s meant to be.
When Marten loses her concentration briefly during one song she asks the crowd for help and several fans chip-in with the lyrics. This all just endears this exceptional 22-year-old to all present.
Marten sings about ‘gnarly pigeons in London’, the ills of the music industry and saves the best till last with ‘Blue Sea, Red Sea’ which has more than a hint of early REM.
After the show the queue to meet Marten almost stretches onto the street towards TK Maxx.
It’s a shop where you can find gems amid mountains of mess.
And Marten is pure Gold Label.
*A special mention to support act – singer-songwriter MYTBE. Her songs are just so movie soundtrack. Her delicate tracks transport me to a dimly lit hotel bar in 1930s America. A voice that soars at its peak and skims across the surface of the sea at other times.