With her ethereal voice, heartfelt lyrics, and mesmerizing stage presence, the enchanting Billie Marten recently took over London’s famous Lafayette in a two-night residency, which proved why the talented vocalist is one of the most captivating and talented musicians of her generation and a force to be reckoned with.
From the moment the young singer-songwriter stepped onto the stage, there was no doubt that the show would be one for the books. Instantly filling the sold-out room with her warm and humble demeanour while always keeping it light with her trademark, slightly sarcastic humour, Marten invited her audience onto a journey through her musical world.
Hitting the show off with one of the singles from her latest record ‘Drop Cherries’, the sombre ‘This Is How We Move’, Marten, who stunned as a vision in a black dress and waves of blonde hair, exuded an aura close to magic that captivated the crowd and set the tone for the rest of the evening. Accompanied by a four-piece band, which impressively played a multitude of instruments, starting with a classic bass, guitar, and drums, all the way to a sweet violin, an imposing cello and even not one but two triangles, the performance resembled a masterclass in musicality, as each instrument got its moment to shine while complementing Marten’s soft vocals.
With a set list consisting of well-known hits like ‘Garden of Eden’, ‘La lune’ and ‘Vanilla Baby’ and some delightful older favourites such as ‘Cursive’, ‘Mice’ and ‘Toulouse’, the show didn’t leave any hearts untouched and included the one or other surprise – the biggest one being that besides being a concert worthy of a forever-memory, it was also Marten’s 24th birthday, which was communally celebrated as her band stepped onto the stage after a break with a cake and champagne in tow while the audience broke into a celebratory rendition of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song we all know and love (or cringe to).
It was this special feeling of intimacy that gave the evening its very unique glow, as the London-based singer’s authenticity and genuine connection with her fans made it feel like a gathering of friends, rather than a typical concert. From light-hearted banter to telling everyone to sway and hum along while people’s laughter filled the venue as the crowd “performance” descended into jolly chaos, Marten managed to keep a constant balance between the introspective nature of her music and the happy-go-lucky attitude of her audience.
Ending the night on the final notes of the sincere ode to love, the wondrous ‘I Can’t Get My Head Around You’ echoed into the night as the audience reluctantly returned from Marten’s realm of wonder to the ordinary world. A testament to the transformative power of her music and her spellbinding talent, Billie Marten’s concert at London’s Lafayette was an unforgettable evening of raw emotion and pure artistry. As Marten continues to shine, it’s clear as day that she is destined for great things, and we cannot wait to see what more she has got up her sleeves.
Written by Laura Weingrill // photography by Katie Silvester
GEM Magazine 