Live Review: Clare Bowditch, Spender

Another in Clare Bowditch's Winter Secrets series, tonight was offered as a chance for some serious audience participation, which, to be fair, had a few of us up the back a bit nervous. There was no need to fear, however, as always Bowditch isn't about to leave anyone out to dry (or, in the nicest possible way, would she ever move too far from the spotlight).

Starting with a hilarious intro which included a killer story about her previous time on the road (at 19-ish, stalking Jeff Buckley, so charming that it had to be real), it was at once totally gentle but also totally hilarious, inviting us on board with the daggiest of fan stories, lead by the daggiest fan in the room. The experience finally gave her a song she finished writing not too long ago – Amazing Life – and it's not hard to see she really inhabits such a thing. Fans were given particularly props tonight overall, with several dedications to those who had clearly earned their audience merit badges early, which was a lovely touch. The mixture of funny stories and sweet, airy performances continued thoughout (highlights included Human Being and You Make Me Happy in particular), while Bowditch's energy was infectious. Her performance of Your Own Kind Of Girl was heartbreakingly gorgeous solo, too – it easily could have disappeared into cliché country, but not in those capable hands. Her control continued when talking up (and playing with) support Tom Spender (who did a sweet folk/electric guitar set to start) and audience guest-ie Aaron Lyon. The latter had won an online application to play Bowditch's single One Little River and going for it in whispy acoustic glory, Bowditch was as taken with Lyon's performance as we were.

Now the promise of some 'participation' came true as we were divided up to sing various parts of Bowditch's back catalogue and, while it's fair to say there was some silences that could have been rowdier (Bowditch chose to consider them 'respectful' rather than shyness from us), where we got into it, the place gently rocked. Later, Spender took his place proper on stage as a duet partner (sometimes a bit nervous, but charming nonetheless) and the two really let loose when re-telling, then leading a danceoff to Olivia Newton-John's Can't We Talk It Over In Bed ('80s video with suitcase was also evoked) and ending with the two waltzing off stage. When they returned it was first for more audience help, as a lovely baritone-voiced punter read part of a TED talk on Bowditch's phone (a bit of inspiration for a Saturday night, just because we could) and finally ending with a weird, yet wonderful, acoustic mashup of Love, Thy Will Be Done and Total Control.