EMA

EMA never fails to deliver. I have seen her a few times now and each show has its own dynamic. The first was intimate, the second proud and energetic, the third took risks and visited old material.
Last night's show was epic (at The Garage) and she had great grace in dealing with some technical issues, never able to disguise her true feelings, be it excitement, anger or joy. This sharing of her feelings and their authenticity, a trademark of her songwriting, is what gives her such a connection with her audience. We want her to succeed, we want her to be as real as possible and we're happy to share her journey. Like any true artist you always get the impression that she is performing for herself and if you like it, then great, and if you don't, so what.
The shows are always loud, uncompromising, with at least one section of mesmerising drone feedback. Amongst the epic tunes is always the space for delicacy and fragility. Erika has always performed at least one song on her own, be it an acapella or an old Gowns song (Cherrylee). 'California' now sits in the middle of the set with no need to be the encore, as her set-list is so strong, and as much as it is one of my favourite songs of the decade, I wouldn't miss it if she left it out. I look forward to the day when I can see a two hour show.