Critic - a Gig

 Saturday 8th October 2022

Nerina Pallot at Storey's Field, Cambridge

I'm not sure how to start this.  How do I critically review Nerina except to say that it was wonderful?  I can't recall the last time I went to a gig, it was certainly the first time that A & B have had a babysitter that wasn't a grandparent, so it was already a memorable day.

She had chosen her own support act, which she told the audience doesn't always happen, and she had chosen well.  They were a wife and husband band that started during the first Lockdown.  They apologised that this had caused more sober songs than upbeat songs, but let's face it, Lockdown was a sober time.  THe band is called T.I.G.Y. which stands for ' Thoughts I Give You'.

I enjoyed them hnd bought their C.D.  Supporting a small business and being a Conscious Consumer! 😉

Nerina's set started at 9pm.  She came on stage, picked up a guitar and... there was no mic!  She chatted away while the sound people rescued the mic from the support band, strummed a bit, and then said she'd go off and come on again.

Everyone cheered louder at the second entrance!

I suppose if I was giving an official review I would've made a note of the set list, but I didn't.  I can't recall what she started with, but 'Idaho' and 'Rousseau' came early in the set.

I think this is the fifth time I've seen her perform live, but I'd forgotten how entertaining she is between songs. She told us that this isn't a planned patter that she uses every night with every audience, (we were the first night of the tour) she makes it up as she goes along and envies comedians.

There were no backing instruments at this venue, although future dates in the tour will have other band members with drums etc.  She plays a guitar or a keyboard, but that's all she really needs.  She had her young son on stage with her at one point clapping along to 'Put Your Hands Up'. I think the last time I saw her she was pregnant with him, and now he must be about twelve, a little older than my son.

The set was just over an hour and a half after she abandoned the set list that she had prepared and just started taking requests from the audience.  We then had 'Blessed' 'Rainbow' and 'Juno'.

She gave an encore because the audience gave her no choice!  So, the evening ended with 'Sophia', which was perfect.

10/10 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Simply wonderful.

This completes the Critic Badge.