On a drizzly evening in Glasgow, Billie Marten — the undeniably loveable 26-year-old singer-songwriter — graced the stage of a railway arch warehouse. Guitar slung over her angelic locks, red cowboy boots adorning her feet, she began with her hit single ‘Feeling’. Her world tour celebrates her fifth album Dog Eared, alluding both to the dog-earing of books (a theme that plays a large part in the album and tour), and her feelings of being worn out by the world at such a young age. Marten’s calming presence sends a wash over the room; referring to the audience as
her little fish, she moves us to sway as her shoal. Rather than a shark, Marten takes on the role of water itself, sending waves of calm over the room.
Dog Eared is emotionally lighter in comparison to her older albums, musically upbeat and lyrically sunny. I was disappointed upon its release; it quickly became background music for me in comparison to older albums of Feeding Seahorses By Hand and Drop Cherries. Hearing the songs live, however, highlighted the albums exquisite use of guitar, particularly when a string broke mid performance! The song ‘Clover’ on the album, since hearing it live, has now become one of my firm favourites, yet the album remains underwhelming for me as a Marten fan. My favourite songs she performed live were still from other albums; a highlight of the night was hearing Marten collaborate on a duet with her opening act LeRen, a Canadian folk singer.
Hearing Marten live is an undeniable treat. She remains elusive in her private life, so it was the first time I have ever heard her speak in the peppery husk of a North London accent that gives her delicate musicality an endearing edge. It is hard not to love Billie; her personality, lyricism and music embody a femininity that is tough, autonomous and humane as she captures life as she sees it. If you get the opportunity to see her on this world tour, jump in for a deeply calming evening.
Photo by Justin Higuchi on Openverse.