CLARE BOWDITCH

Canberra Theatre Centre

28 April 2018

(Live Review)

Reviewer – Benjamin Smith

Clare Bowditch’s extremely loyal fanbase are enchanted by her every movement. Every word she says, every note she sings, seems to bring them further under her spell. In their defence, she’s very charming in a kind of klutzy down to earth sort of way, but so much of the audience seem to have a shared experience of her work and her performances. Many of them saw her last time she was here, and the time before that and the time before that. Her songs appear in their favourite TV shows, which she says she watches as well as writes for. Her and her audience are so comfortable together; they love her because she is them.

“Exceptional songwriting and cheeky mid-song banter” –The AU Review

The songs are kind of shiny-sounding pop pieces but cover everything from war and death to relationships and the hope of youth. She throws in a couple of covers, including a Crowded House song she’s virtually made her own and a Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks piece she does with her guitarist. In between songs she talks about make up and motherhood and working with her husband, the man sitting behind her on drums. Her band, incidentally are a very talented ensemble and include a violinist and pianist, who’s name I didn’t catch but who played a bit of old-timey country blues chops which brought something fresh to the whole thing. She showcases a couple of songs off her new record, which she left her regular spot on the ABC to complete, and which are universally well received.

Opening for Bowditch was local singer Laura Ingram, who does a kind of sultry nightclub-jazz type act. It’s the kind of thing that would normally be made up mostly of old standards but which was refreshingly original. Her set was a brief one but gave her a chance to show off her skills and give a bigger audience a taste of what to expect from her in the very near future, including a soon-to-be-released solo record.

“Her music has a vulnerability and an earnest humbleness to it that just draws you in. Her honest approach is truly refreshing”. –Cool Try

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AMNPLIFY – DB

Dave Bruce

My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.

Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.

Amnplify your experience. That is what we want you to do here, and if you want to let me know why you do, or don’t, shoot me a message on Facebook.

Hope you enjoy yourself here and find something that hits you somewhere.