Warwickshire band Amber Liadan headlined the CV Folk night in the Studio at the Albany Theatre, Coventry, supported by local acts Nowhere Club & Alys Rain, hosted by Pete Willow.
Folk and acoustic singer and composer, Amber Liadan is based now in Warwickshire, but her musical journey has taken her via Dublin, Cape Town, Indonesia and London. She brought her unique blend of passion and artistry with her band Phil Moffett (lead guitar/harmonies), Carol Whitworth (bass/harmonies) and Dave Male (drums & synth) to the stage.
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First up we had the acoustic duo of Adam & Lewis with their take on the working-class man with songs including ‘Hello Andy’ and ‘Paranoid’ with their pleased multi harmonies and guitar work.
Following we had Alys Rain who are a very multi-instrumental group with a lovely voice from Izzy Hadlum & guitar/mandolin and backed by Louie on flute and percussion and Shruti box (an accordion like instrument). Their songs included ‘Jenny Greentooth’ a folklore tale with great vocals and percussion.
After a bar break and stage re-set Amber Liadan and her band took to the stage for her first full gig since her marriage to Phil in South Africa.
Their set started with an ethereal style with the synth starting off the song ‘Warrior’ with the band joining the stage one by one before the lovely plaintive vocals from Amber backed by Carol.
After a couple of slow mellow folk numbers ‘Leaves & ‘Teach Me’ the band played a new song ‘Long Night Out’ with its story of heartache with Phil on electric guitar and featuring Amber’s soaring vocals.
From her time based in Ireland Amber wrote the next song ‘No Doubt’ with its lovely multi harmonies and a story about battling your doubts and believing in yourself.
Then the band kicked it up with ‘Losing Interest’ with its waltz timing but with a heavier sound and great passionate vocals. This was followed by the song ‘Caravan’ with its dancier quicker beat.
The band then played their new single ‘Saturday Night’, with its brilliant online video, with Amber strutting her stuff around the stage, with great vocals for a very upbeat song.
After applause from the audience Amber played two songs for an encore firstly with a new song ‘Mary Jane’ with its great backing beat, multi-harmonies and enthusiastic drumming from Dave, backed by Carol on Bass. The final song was the more mellow ‘Tomorrow’ with its evocative vocals, great guitars & rhythm section.
