Laura Marling, Trades Club Hebden Bridge 28th January 2015 10/10

The opportunity to listen to one of my favourite performers in a 200 capacity venue made this one of my most anticipated gigs to date. My last experience of Laura Marling's genius was in the lavish concert hall of The Lowry in Salford. As Laura remarked, the tiny Trades Club in Yorkshire had an amazingly laid back vibe. She'd explained previously: 'people think I look odd on-stage. But the way I deal with being incredibly nervous is by concentrating really hard.' Here though, she seemed at ease, and even a couple of false starts felt spontaneously natural. The greatest gain from the intimacy of the club venue was being able to closely observe her expressions. Her eyes in particular portrayed deep emotion, and at times she seemed close to tears.

Tickets to this show, marking Independent Venue Week, were allocated by lottery, and through her fans' mailing list; everyone present seemed aware how privileged we were. There was a remarkable hushed tension: an air of rapt attention, with not a sound from the audience. Laura remarked on the 'seductive' local Yorkshire accents, and seemed relieved to be in this picturesque part of England after two years in LA. Yet that time in America has influenced her upcoming album, from the opening False Hope, a reaction to Hurricane Sandy, to Easy which was inspired by high times in Joshua Tree. But the catalyst for a new, more driven rock sound on songs like Gurdijeff's Daughter was her father's gift of a cherry red Gibson 335 electric guitar. The powerful title track Short Movie closed the set; some have heard the influence of Velvet Underground, though I think that the observation of a parallel with Kat Power is particularly perceptive.

Much of the anticipation for this show arose from the chance to hear songs from her fifth album for the first time in the UK. This milestone is a remarkable achievement at the age of 24, especially when three of its predecessors achieved Mercury Prize nominations. I detected a new intensity in the medley which opens 2013's Once I Was An Eagle, and it's already evident then she's developed further since then, away from her nufolk beginnings towards a darker direction. Yet, for all the excitement about Laura plugging in, the highlight for me was an intense central acoustic section. This started with the Americana influenced Walk Alone from Short Movie, and concluded with the gentle What He Wrote, enhanced by subtle string backing (the three sensitive backing musicians encompassed a drummer, double bass player and guitarist). I can only imagine the riches to come, as she's proclaimed: 'I'd like to make music for as long as I can; it feels like something I need to do.'

It's well known that Laura doesn't perform encores, finding the process awkward, and she briefly apologised for the lack of banter. This introvert's gentle, polite, and humble personality doesn't prelude the expression of passion, though. She's an accomplished guitarist, but her voice is most startling, a flexible instrument which at times almost breaks into speech, enunciating beautifully crafted lyrics offering insights into the human condition. This was such an emotional journey, encompassing fear, heartbreak, and also a surprising amount of joy. For all her literary seriousness, in the relaxed surroundings of Hebden Bridge away from city crowds, the playful side of her personality was evident. Laura urged us to enjoy the snow which had started falling outside, transforming the surrounding hills into a magical winter scene, just as she had touched and enriched our inner worlds through her stunning musicanship.

Set List

• False Hope
• I Feel Your Love
• Devil's Spoke
• Warrior
• Strange
• Master Hunter
• Walk Alone (acoustic)
• David (acoustic)
• What He Wrote (acoustic)
• Rambling Man
• I Speak Because I Can
• How Can I
• Salinas
• Gurdjieff's Daughter
• Short Movie

(songs from Short Movie in bold)

The Apache Relay, Ruby Lounge Manchester, 23rd January 2015 7/10

My live music year started less than auspiciously: awful traffic stretched the journey to the venue to two hours. The more than slightly drunken audience were amidst the least considerate I can recall, and the support act I'd come to see were allocated only 30 minutes on stage. This was compounded by the main act being devoid of musical interest for me, completely failing to engage me emotionally. They may have programmed alongside The Apache Relay because both bands are now based in Nashville. They also cite Springsteen as an influence, in common with the Southern Rock main act. Yet, their roots in American music lie far wider and deeper.

It has to be said that the two opening songs from their American Nomad EP initially failed to enthral me: perhaps I was mentally still in that traffic jam. The Apache Relay decided to build their energy gradually, but it's no confidence that the closing highlight, Valley of the Fevers, is from their most recent, self-titled album. This shares producer Kevin Augunas with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, who would surely would have been more appropriate counterparts for them. The six piece band listened to each other, and the gains from performing together for over 5 years were clear to hear. As the set progressed, lead Michael Ford became more animated, inspiring the rest of the band to become more extrovert too. Despite the noisy audience, a joy emanated from the band, an infectious happiness that transcended the limitations of the venue.

A two hour drive was a modest price to be transported across the Atlantic for even a few minutes. The Apache Relay talk about 'reinterpreting the American songbook for their generation', making folk music relevant to a contemporary audience in the same way that Trampled by Turtles, whom they've supported on tour, have brought bluegrass to new fans. They combine acoustic guitar and fiddle with electric guitars, blending new and old in what they describe as Indie Roots. The Apache Relay is also known for engagement with fans: I was delighted when the band Tweeted me after the gig. I can only hope that they return to the UK with headline tour in the near future, or at least to the festival circuit, for they are full of American optimism, regardless of the sometimes dark lyrics. With a more sympathetic crowd, I'm sure there would have been heartwarming sing alongs.

Set List:

• Power Hungry Animals
• American Nomad
• Katie Queen of Tennessee
• Good As Gold
• Lost Kid
• State Trooper
• Valley of The Fevers