Show Reveiw: Billie Marten at Denver’s Globe Hall 6.14.23

Fresh of the release of ‘Drop Cherries’ British singer/songwriter Billie Marten arrived in the US for her first headlining tour in the States. Joined by Olivia Kaplan, Billie arrived to the Globe Hall on June 14th to bring her new songs and old favorites to a Denver crowd with an intimate performance.

Denver’s Globe Hall is an anomaly in the changing landscape of live music venues. Fan’s enter through a BBQ restaurant before passing through a second door with squeaky hinges acting as a portal to a dark venue that has hosted many now big name artists. Once the music starts in this cozy timeless feeling venue, fans instantly forget you are next to a BBQ joint.

The music began with Olivia Kaplan as a solo act, easing the crowd into the night with strikingly gorgeous yet heart breaking songs as she strummed her guitar. Olivia’s set was a short few songs but she wouldn’t be gone from the stage for long as she returned as part of the band, playing guitar alongside Billie.

The dark venue packed tighter and a group of excited fans encroached as close as they could to the front of the stage with bouquets of flowers in hand, ready to gift their favorite singer who was near to hitting the stage.

Coming all the way from the UK to the center of the US Billie stepped onto the stage barefoot and in a gorgeous flowing summer dress. “Its’s thrifted” she said sweetly after a crowd member shouted a compliment.

Billie instantly brought an ethereal yet earnest aura that radiated through the venue. This energy only grew as she began performing. Starting the set with ‘This Is How We Move’ the crowd was instantly transfixed. Swaying side to side with eyes glued to Billie. The roar following that first song making the room feel massive. The group of younger fans at the foot of the stage passed their bouquets of flowers up to Billie. She thanked them sincerely for the “lovely set design” as she adorned the tops of the PA’s and a guitar amp with flowers.

While the two backing musicians added depth to the performance, it was truly exemplified how large Billie’s presence is as her backing musicians stepped off stage giving Billie a 3 song solo section of the set. The intimacy between crowd and Billie heightened, everyone in the crowd hanging on to every lyric wisping from her lips and chord radiating from her finger tips.

The peak of the night was near the end of the set as Billie directed the crowd to join in a sing along for ‘I Can’t Get My Head Around You’. Gently teaching the crowd the melody they were to sing to underline the minimalistic band. As the song began the crowd hummed the melody as instructed and continued to do so throughout the entirety of the song, a truly chill inspiring moment as it felt the whole crowd was connected with the musicians on stage and with one another.

Following her amazing performance, the hope is high that Billie returns for another headlining US tour soon. It is no doubt that whenever she does return the performances will be in larger venues as her amazing song writing and heartfelt performances reach more and more ears. But for now the lucky crowd at Globe Hall’s intimate performance will keep this as a lovely memory for a long time to come.

Billie Marten will back in the US for 3Ten Austin City Limits Live on November 16th.