Laura Marling live at Liverpool Cathedral
- By Greg Rose -
- Nov 02, 2011
There are so many beautiful venues for music in the UK, yet only the same handful get used. With this in mind, Laura Marling embarked upon a tour with a difference. From Guildford to Gloucester, Birmingham to Bristol, London to Liverpool, Laura Marling and her band abandoned the forums, academies and halls to perform instead in cathedrals.
Having seen Laura Marling play everywhere from the Pyramid Stage to a tiny crypt, I wasn't expecting too many surprises. However, climbing the dark hill to Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, it was clear this wasn't going to be a normal gig. The longest cathedral in the world, it helped transform Marling's songs from their familiar beauty into altogether different beasts.
This was especially apparent during the acoustic section of the show, as Marling used all 620 feet of the room to induce the feel of a choir with her voice alone. The poignant refrain of 'Goodbye England (Covered In Snow)' echoed around the cavernous building long after the final note resounded. There was a nod to the stateliness of the venue here with the lyric "crap" exchanged for "stuff", but this was no staid performance.
'The Muse' was rambunctious and playful,'The Beast' strident, 'Rambling Man' triumphant. The cameraderie of the group was clear to see, with a pause allowing time for the band to present a fact each about the venue (hey, where do you think I found out how long the cathedral is?). Little of the onstage awkwardness Marling is synonymous with was apparent, and they exuded the qualities being in a band is supposed to be about.
Three records in, people are still eager for progression rather than looking back on the comfortable back catalogue. A new song was apologetically showcased and received by beaming faces, a B-side ('Flicker and Fail', written by Laura and her dad) focused upon fully. When old clothes are tried on with 'Ghosts', 'Night Terror' and 'My Manic and I' - all fine tracks - there isn't the same spark in Marling's delivery or snap in the band's reactions. But it is refreshing for an artist to allow their latest album to dominate the set and the crowd keen to be challenged with this.
There was a reverent hush to proceedings throughout, no doubt brought upon by the severe beauty of the venue. Nevertheless, the gig felt fun despite its gobsmacking grandeur. It takes a confident artist to fill a cathedral, but, in every sense, she managed it without breaking sweat. What a venue, for the right artist - and Laura Marling was the right artist.
By Greg Rose. Senior Content & Marketing Executive, Virgin Group Digital. Tweets @greglrose
