Holly Humberstone - Rough Trade East - 9/10/2023

I have had the pleasure of seeing Holly Humberstone live in various settings, whether it be on the Main Stage at Leeds Festival or headlining O2 Forum Kentish Town. One thing is for sure - her performances are always gripping.

As someone who also moved from a smaller city to London, the relatability and meaning behind 'London Is Lonely' will always move me, regardless of how many times I have seen it live.

To promote her upcoming album, 'Paint My Bedroom Black', Humberstone worked in association with independent music stores to present her Intimate Album Launch Shows, including a matinée and an evening show at Rough Trade East.

I can wholeheartedly say that this was my favourite performance from Humberstone thus far. This stripped-back nature of the evening truly elevated her voice. In particular, tracks like 'The Walls Are Way Too Thin' allowed her to remain in control of her powerful vocals and really take the songs to new places.

As the show developed, Humberstone's confidence grew rapidly while relaying anecdotes to explain how and when the new music came to fruition. Immediately, 'Cocoon' and 'Elvis Impersonator' come to mind as stand-out tracks. The audience also discovered the album's alternative title, 'I'm Just Going Through Something'. The inclusion of this allowed the audience to understand the themes surrounding the album and a deeper knowledge of how its final form came to be.

Her isolated vocals during the new tracks forced us to truly feel the emotions she felt while writing these lyrics and experiencing certain moments. I felt particularly moved as she reflected on a sibling moving away and no longer having them around - she created a track from this personal loss to which many can find a way to relate, including myself.

'Room Service' rounded off the set, and Humberstone provided a genuine and endearing performance. I truly appreciate an artist who can provide a safe space for emotion and a comforting atmosphere for their audience, which definitely took place here. Even those less familiar with her work soaked up every note and lyric, captivating everyone around.

'Paint My Bedroom Black' is out on October 13th, 2023 and tickets for the UK & EU Tour are on sale now.

Words by Eliz (Blonde Vibrations)