Live Review: Clare Bowen, Timothy James Bowen

Fans of American hit TV series Nashville strapped on their cowboy boots to see one of the country music show's leading stars: NSW-born singer-songwriter Clare Bowen.

Clare Bowen's younger brother Timothy James Bowen opened the homecoming concert; he spent 2016 fighting and overcoming end-stage cancer and is the subject matter of his supportive sister's newly released single Love Steps In.

Clare Bowen is as mesmerising onstage as she is onscreen and brings a very poignant, personal touch to her performance. Emerging onstage resembling a bohemian goddess, the actress/songstress twirled, prowled and crooned her way through ballads from her forthcoming debut album, barefoot and golden glitter-garnished with gypsy tambourine in hand. Little By Little, the first single from Bowen's anticipated LP, is dedicated to the UK in light of the Manchester and London Bridge attacks, and Doors & Corridors is a tribute to her benevolent parents. Most of Bowen's tunes were prefaced with a soft-spoken or witty back story — often emotional tales about family, friends or life's challenges — which made the introspective material even more uplifting when performed live.

Accompanied by the love of her life, fiancee Brandon Robert Young, on guitar and back-up vocals, Bowen seemed ever-more comfortable onstage and together they sang tender duets from Nashville such as If I Didn't Know Better and Longer. Bowen's brother and his loving partner/vocalist, Christina Mullany, also joined them for the second half of the set. Talk about a family affair!

Enmore Theatre also holds a special place in Bowen's heart since she bartended at the live music venue when she was younger. It proved the perfect setting for this intimate show; with lights twinkling upon its theatrical decor it almost resembled Nashville's famed Grand Ole Opry, which Bowen's character plays in on the musical drama series.

Bowen is undoubtedly a gifted performer and touched the hearts of this crowd with her delicate, haunting vocals and heartfelt music.