NOAH GUNDERSEN // TRON THEATRE, GLASGOW
noah gundersen perform’s two sold-out intimate show’s at tron theatre as part of glasgow celtic connections festival 2020
NOAH GUNDERSEN
★★★★★ (5/5)
First up was, Bess Attwell who was a superb support for this relaxing show. Performing her hits ‘Grace’ and ‘Cherry Baby’ this set was not to disappoint. Swelling undertones of guitar complimented Bess’ angelic vocal approach throughout the set.
With guitarist harmonising perfectly, all songs done enough for the crowd to just sit and listen, taking in pure beauty.
Towards the end a cover of The national - ‘this is the last time’ was made to be her own and could of easily been so. A great surprise for fans like myself.
I recommend going to see Bess’ amazing performance wherever she may be next.
Noah Gundersen graced the stage to a thundering wall of applause. With such an intricate setting, the crowd quickly quietened to allow Noah’s voice to fill the room with opener ‘Robin Williams’.
The next 3 tracks were all from his latest album release ‘Lover’. Including my favourites ‘Lose You’ and ‘Watermelon’. The stripped back versions of each, still sounded as seminal as the full band recordings. The honest lyrics sang by such a powerful voice didn’t take long to send goosebumps across the room, with every song followed by a fantastic reception.
To a timid crowd, Noah didn’t hesitate to throw in some jokes and small talk, Including his karaoke strategy. We were lucky enough to be played a rendition of ‘dance with somebody’ by Whitney Houston. I listened in awe. Made to sound as one of his own he beautifully hypnotised the crowd. I’m sure others would agree when I say that I would love to see this as a release, to be able to binge play on a daily basis.
After this he went on to play a few older Songs, going right back to his 2009 EP release ‘Saints and liars’ with ‘Jesus,Jesus’. Privileged to hear this song live, one I think will always have meaning.
Touring with Noah was Jamie Tworkowski, founder of phenomenal non profit movement ‘To Write Love in Her Arms’. Before Noah began his set we were lucky to hear about this movement from the man himself. A great cause I think everyone should take a chance to look at through all social media outputs, if going through modern day struggles or know someone who is.
This connected us to another one of Noah’s covers of the night. With the passing of Scottish hero ‘Scott Hutchison’ a cover I would never expect to hear from the American graced our ears. Frightened Rabbits ‘Heads Roll Off’, was enough to jerk tears.
Overall a gig I will never forget and one I’ll always look back on. I would have happily went back for more in his evening set. I hope to see Noah in the UK a lot more in the coming years, full band and stripped back. I’m sure his music will continue to move with the times and touch masses of people.
SETLIST: | NOAH GUNDERSEN : TRON THEATRE, GLASGOW - 18.01.2020
Robin Williams
Lose You
Watermelon
Fear and Loathing
Golden Lonesome - (Glorietta song)
First Defeat
Jesus, Jesus
Wild Horses
Head Rolls Off - (Frightened Rabbit cover)
Bad Desire
So What
Day After Tomorrow - (Tom Waits cover)
Lover
ENCORE:
Cigarettes