Tonight at St Matthias Church is a different kind of statement, but it may just be louder than anything we've seen before. The jaw-dropping backdrop of the stunning hall plays host to an artist who has tapped into every twist of emotion that comes from human connection, both beautiful and heartbreaking in equal measure. Matilda Mann's rise has seen her become not just a favourite artist to some, but a vital lifeline, and that emotion is stripped back and amplified for a night that every person seated in the pews and standing around the church will remember for a long, long time.
Charlie Noordewier has a voice that stops you in your tracks. The hushed silence that falls across St Matthias the moment he opens his mouth speaks volumes for an artist who bears his soul for all to see. Delicate acoustic singer-songwriting at its finest, the church setting adds a whole new level. 'Call It Love' is a hypnotic opener, with Charlie's voice wrapping itself around an already jam-packed venue like a warm blanket. 'Joy and Despair' is a captivating plea of love and all its complexions, echoing classic modern songwriters like Paolo Nutini and Damian Rice, while closer 'Little Miss Sunshine' spins in psych-esque beauty. As the song concludes, Charlie steps away from the microphone and lets his voice project the final notes of his set. With that as an instrument, the world is going to fall in love with a troubadour of great potential.
"Welcome to my cult! I'm gonna make some spells tonight," proclaims Matilda as she steps on stage to a stacked church crowd in front of her. Tonight marks a truly special moment that strips things back to the heart of what makes her so vital. While usually headlining venues like London's KOKO that open up her heart with pop ambition, tonight sees Matilda pull things back further to gaze into her soul. The pin drop silence that's only broken by rapturous applause after each track sends shivers down the spines of all gathered, for a set that spans across Matilda's career.
