I have to compose myself a little here, get my critical head on and talk about this gig constructively……. Ah fuck it, Adam Barnes was incredible this evening, a wonderful talent that you all need to let into your life!
Right got that out of my system, Proud Galleries is the setting for this evening. A collection of nu-folk musical talent, but for me the reason I am here is one Adam Barnes. Last time I saw Adam perform was in fact the last time he was in London. Since that last gig, where the man simply held an audience in amazement, I knew I had to catch him next time he was in town.
He opens his set with a brand new song, ‘The Oldest Trees’, which was full of moments of intensity and touches of sentimentality. It’s no wonder Adam can literally have an audience in the palm of his hands. A lot of the songs this evening are from his EP called ‘Blisters’, which will see a re-release very soon, so I’m told. Moments like the stripped back ‘Come Undone’, that was simply divine and with those heart warming harmonies, you can’t help but be drawn into what becomes one of the more powerful moments of the night. Adam also played a song for which he did a very interesting video for, which was previewed here on this very site. That video was of an awkward Adam performing and getting kicked out of many supermarkets! The song is ‘She Will Stay Beneath The Moon’ and it was an absolute pleasure to catch as a full band arrangement, as it gave it more of an emotional punch. ‘Procession’ also was one of those times tonight, where you just couldn’t help but stand up and pay attention.
With Adam there are joyous occasions throughout the set, that make it memorable and unlike anything you would have ever seen before. His final song being live favourite, ‘Kuroshio Sea’, was one of those occasions. It not only saw Adam literally pour his heart out on stage, but a flash of illustrious genius came when he stood in the middle of the crowd with a floor tom and bashed the shit out of it. Singing at the top of his lungs while doing so with the rest of the band, it was one of those spine-tingling, “you had to be there” significant live moments.
I watched with just absolute joy and admiration for this guy tonight. An incredible talent that who just keeps on giving to the people who watch him. It’s not every day that you wholeheartedly get blown away, which makes Adam Barnes one of those people you have to treasure for a long time to come.
