Music is always there; it’s your home, your family, something to depend on. It’s an essential part of life, and there’s a rare feeling of belonging and contentment that comes with going to gigs. With this in mind, the ‘Feels Like Home’ tour seemed like the perfect way to spend my weekend. Charlotte Eriksson, aka The Glass Child, is one of my favourite discoveries of the year, and the lovely Emma Buckley came highly recommended, so what better way to welcome in the autumn months than catching them both live in a cozy intimate gig. 

The cozy gig nearly wasn’t to be after getting lost on the way to The Maze (irony at it’s finest), but I got there eventually! Following the homely theme the stage had a cute sofa with Charlotte and Emma’s initials adorning the cushions, and a string of fairy lights draped around the mic stand. It was a lovely touch, and just goes to show how even small details can add to the atmosphere. Arriving fashionably late however came with a price, as I sadly missed the majority of Lauren April’s set. What little I heard however certainly impressed, and her cover of ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ was one of the highlights of the evening, which is not something you say often of opening acts. Following Lauren was bubbly Brummie Esther Turner. Mixing more edgy, foot-stomping numbers, hints of Ed Sheeran, and even a quirky song about her own “ninja skills”, hers was the most fun and diverse set of the evening.

Unbeknownst to me Emma Buckley had been stood near me for a large part of the evening, but as soon as her set began I was captivated by her stage presence. Performing songs from her new Don’t Tell Me EP, you could sense the raw emotion that went into her songwriting as she sang about lost love, and the confusing melting pot of feelings that is youth. Her cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Songbird’ really let her arresting vocals shine, but it was ‘They Need You’ that really spoke to me, and stood out as the highlight of her wonderful set. Regaling the true tales of some of Liverpool’s veterans, the poignant song of peace showcased Emma’s heartfelt lyricism and a wisdom beyond her years. Emma’s songwriting skills surpassed my already high expectations, and as such she has found herself a loyal new fan, eager for more!

Having already fallen deeply for Charlotte’s music, her set was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. The little snippets she offered about her life on the road and the misadventures along the way gave so much more meaning to the set, and her earlier songs such as ‘Hypnic Jerk’, ‘The Fall’ and ‘Stay’ sounded significantly more potent and refined live than on the studio versions. Her new single ‘Coming Home’, released just a couple of days prior, carried a relatable moral that you can’t expect the world you once knew to stay the same while you’re off living your life. The title track of her latest upcoming EP, it was a sure sign of more beautiful music to come; but the highlight of the night was her angelic performance of ‘Save Me’ from Under Northern Skies. For one heavenly moment it felt like there was nothing else in the world but her voice, and it was one of those moments that you just wish could last forever.

These four wonderful women all played their part in creating a simply gorgeous gig. Offering insights into their inspirations, sharing songs that speak to something deep within, and making it feel like there was nothing else of consequence outside that little back room, it was everything that you long for from an intimate performance. They say that home is where the heart is, and there was no shortage of heart on this first stop of the ‘Feels Like Home’ tour.