Lucy Rose / Samantha Crain
Union Chapel, London, UK
9 April 2019
Words & photos by Katie Frost
Couldn’t have picked a more perfect place to see British singer-songwriter Lucy Rose perform live for the first time than in the beautiful late 19th Century Grade I listed Union Chapel. I have been to a few gigs at the venue previously and always loved the incredible atmosphere, but this was my first time attending as a photographer. Being a working church as well as a gig venue, there are understandably some restrictions in place meaning that photographer’s can’t get too close to the stage, and sadly I don’t have a huge zoom lens so please forgive my slightly “atmospheric” shots, although hopefully I have still managed to capture the magic of the evening!
First to take to the stage was Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain who played a wonderful set – just herself and her guitar – that went down well with the audience. Samantha has a wonderfully soulful voice that draws you in and makes you really listen to what she is singing to you about.
A friend of mine introduced me to Lucy Rose’s music a few years ago and shamefully I never got round to seeing her live until tonight. Lucy began her set sat at a piano with a single spotlight illuminating her as she played “Solo(w)” and went on to play a brilliant set featuring not only tracks from her fourth studio album No Words Left (released 22 March), but other tracks from her back-catalogue. She reminded me a bit of fellow British singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin, although Lucy’s songs, for me, have a more melancholy vibe to them…yet delivered so beautifully that you sometimes forgot how sad the song was!
I thoroughly enjoyed Lucy’s set and the setting was simply perfect. The church was packed and there was a wonderful atmosphere in the venue – a truly lovely way to spend a Tuesday evening. Lucy had a fantastic selection of merchandise, ranging from the familiar CDs and vinyls to personalised tins of tea (very British!) as well as beautiful photographic prints and a photobook of shots taken by her husband Will. Every aspect of the concert felt very cohesive, and yet effortless. I will definitely try to make it to another of her shows next time she plays London.
Lucy Rose Set List:
Solo(w)
Nobody Comes Round Here
Second Change
The Confines of this World
Is This Called Home
What Does It Take
Just A Moment
Treat Me Like A Woman
Moiri
Nebraska
Conversation
No Words Left Pt. 1
Strangest of Ways
Shiver
Save Me From Your Kindness
Song After Song (with Samantha Crain)
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Love You More (John Martyn cover)
No Words Left Pt. 2
Lucy Rose: Official / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
Samantha Crain: Official / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
LUCY ROSE GALLERY
SAMANTHA CRAIN GALLERY