Our writer and photographer Sarah went to see Laura Marling and may or may not have cried. Okay, spoiler alert she did cry, and that’s because Laura Marling is a goddess and one of the best songwriters and performers of our time. Touring in support of her breathtaking new album Semper Femina, Marling stopped in Philly last Friday to perform at the TLA. Laura Marling is currently heading to Australia to continue her tour before heading back to the U.K. to play multiple festivals this summer. Read Sarah’s review of the show below and get your tickets to the rest of Laura Marling’s tour and to get your copy of the new album, click here.
The microphones and stage at the TLA were adorned with blue silk flowers and greenery when Laura Marling walked out into the spotlights on Friday night. She appeared to be small and pixie-like in stature, completely unassuming, in a flower print dress. She and her backing band went immediately into, “Soothing,” and I was swaying back and forth.
I did not expect the magic that was to come next. This was my first experience with Laura Marling’s music. Her vibe is a country-folk sound, with beautiful melodies and powerful lyrics. She tricked me, I was ready for a lighthearted type jam. She began singing “Wild Fire,” and I was able to fight back tears until her lyrics sang, “Is there something on your mind? Something you need to get by? Do you cry sometimes? Do you cry sometimes?.” I cried. Terrifyingly relatable emotional truths and complicated but beautiful relationships between friends always hits home.
“You always say you love me most
But I don’t know I’m being seen
Maybe someday when God takes me away
I’ll understand what the fuck that means…”
She sings those lines in such a deadpan way- the power of it can be elusive, almost inviting you to push away the idea that it’s a song about emotional pains. By the time she got to her song “The Valley,” I was fully invested in hearing what she had to say. I trusted her, because she was singing about humans I felt I knew. What a beautiful feeling! Overwhelmed with emotion, I watched on to see her bare little pieces of soul.
A truly gifted song-crafter, Marling had me in her unassuming vices. She is a voice for the emotions of the female relationship, ever-complicated, but powerful. A beautiful night- with running mascara, due to music moving my soul. Success!
xx Sarah
Sounds like an awesome show!