An Evening With Lady Lamb

Tessa Roy ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Assistant Editor

The Sinclair was a venue I had heard so much about, but had not yet seen. Friends told me it was beautiful, that it was an escape from the outside world, and that the right performers would make the Sinclair experience even better. They didn’t lie.

I was immediately taken aback as I stepped inside; it really was stunning. I made my way towards the front, taking in every element. The stage looked so clean and welcoming, bathed in gentle blue light. It was empty for now but waiting, just waiting for someone to fill it up with beautiful music.

I soon had to stop simply staring at the empty stage; I was there for that someone who would be doing the filling up. I was reminded of this as I surveyed the sold out crowd littered with beer-filled cups and LLBK beanies.

Soon, two supporting acts, Henry Jamison and Cuddle Magic, played to fill the time before the night’s headliner. They were not who the people had come to see, but seemed to entertain nevertheless. If nothing else, Jamison’s one man guitar show and Cuddle Magic’s strange electronic based performance provided interesting contrast to one another.

Finally, it was time for the namesake of the beanies: Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. After quickly assembling her own stage, she humbly began her set.

At first, Lady Lamb was difficult to read. She appeared comfortable on the stage, but behaved a bit nervously. She looked around at her crowd for a bit, then turned back to focus on her guitar. There wasn’t any reason for her to be shy – she sounded great. But for some reason, she had to ease her way in.

After a few songs, though, she warmed up. She became endearing, smiling as people yelled out song requests and proclamations of love for her.

“Play all your songs!” yelled one person.

“Okay,” she joked. “We’ll be here until 6 in the morning, and I’ll just play everything from all my albums.”

It wasn’t long before Lady Lamb had everyone wrapped around her finger. She did play tracks from other albums, but as it was the release show for her latest work After, she relied mostly on this one’s content. She played “Billions of Eyes,” “Vena Cava,” “Heretic,” and “Violet Clementine,” exhibiting great vocal prowess in addition to incredible guitar skills. The crowed watched in awe as she switched guitars every so often, telling stories about some of them and how she got them. It should also be noted that at one point, she picked up a banjo. That instrument came easy to her as well.

As the night went on, it became evident Lady Lamb and the Sinclair were meant for each other. Despite her shaky start, she wound up fitting so naturally with the stage. She enjoyed being on it, and her crowd enjoyed seeing her on it. It was her own.

“This is probably my favorite venue in the country,” Lady Lamb said at the end of the show, confirming that this combination between artist and venue could not be any more appropriate. She explained how she had been determined to play at the Sinclair as a headliner after having been there before as a supporting act, and how excited she was that her wish had come true.

Lady Lamb played a few more songs and, to her audience’s delight, an encore. While nobody really wanted her to leave the stage that she so naturally graced, the evening had been satisfactory. Considering she sold out, Lady Lamb might need a bigger venue if she returns to the Boston area. But it’s safe to say she will be welcome to come back any time she likes.