More than a decade after “This Is the Life” and “Mr. Rock & Roll” made Amy Macdonald a household name across Europe, it’s easy to forget how much material she has accumulated since. Four albums in, the recent best-of makes the point plainly: there’s a lot more here than a couple of radio staples.
Last night’s show put that catalogue into a mostly acoustic setting, with cello and violin adding colour without crowding the songs. The simpler arrangements suit her well. The melodies are strong enough to carry the weight, and the format leaves more room for the writing and for that deep, unmistakable contralto.
Last night’s show put that catalogue into a mostly acoustic setting, with cello and violin adding colour without crowding the songs. The simpler arrangements suit her well. The melodies are strong enough to carry the weight, and the format leaves more room for the writing and for that deep, unmistakable contralto.
She opens with the new “Woman of the World” and spends close to two hours moving through the back catalogue, often giving familiar songs a different shape. “Spark,” “Down by the Water” and especially “Run” all benefit from the treatment, the latter becoming one of the evening’s most affecting moments.
Macdonald is also a natural storyteller between songs. The introductions are funny, warm and direct, giving just enough background without turning the concert into a running commentary. It helps that the material itself is so grounded: there’s very little distance between the person speaking and the person singing.
By the end of the night, the main impression is simply how well the songs hold up. Stripped of the fuller production, they don’t shrink. If anything, they sound sturdier. Four albums into her career, Macdonald already has the kind of catalogue that can carry a two-hour show without strain.
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