On the 8th March 2024 Holly Humberstone took to the stage of Edinburgh’s The Queens Hall.
First up was Alaskan country musician, Medium Build, who was a perfect opener for Holly. Donned in oversized sunglasses, a Scotland hat and a personalised Scotland football, he clearly had great admiration for the Scottish people. He told the crowd about his travels through Scotland before kicking off the UK leg of the tour and his appreciation and love for Scotland and its people. Everything he said was so humorous and got a great response from the crowd, and I’m sure it left everyone still wondering about his comments of the similarities between Alaska and Scotland. The crowd loved this and it created a mutual appreciation for each other. Medium Build’s stage presence is incredible, as he stands alone with his guitar, but is able to create a huge sound through his impressive vocal delivery. He plays each song with such emotional tenacity, as if we are feeling how he felt when writing them.
Holly Humberstone released her debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black, last October and it has been on repeat ever since. I was very excited to hear her perform her new album, as well as the older classics. Holly kicked the gig off with the first track of the album, Paint My Bedroom Black, setting the tone for an intimate yet powerful performance. Followed by Into Your Room, one of my favourites and clearly the crowd agreed as we danced and sang at the top of our lungs.
Holly’s music is an emotional rollercoaster, taking you through the trials and tribulations of navigating life as a twenty-something year old. Her latest album is no different. Cocoon is the perfect example of this, as it begins with Holly’s vocals, accompanied only by the sound of a muted guitar, before it builds up and explodes during the chorus. Medium Build joined Holly to scream the lyrics “I’m just going through something”. A cathartic moment for everyone in the crowd to get everything we’re feeling off our chests.
“This is my first time playing Edinburgh and I’m so happy to be here”, says Holly and it is clear that the energetic crowd feel the same happiness seeing her perform.
The atmosphere softened, as Holly stood centre stage, illuminated by a singular neon pink strobe, for Kissing in Swimming Pools, which created an emotional moment for the crowd, alongside her performance of Elvis Impersonators, a song about missing one of her four sisters when they moved to Japan.
Holly put on a truly fantastic gig and it is clear that the whole crowd had a cathartic experience screaming the lyrics to her emotional, honest music. Having only released her first single in 2020, before lockdown, it is amazing to see how successful Holly has become. She is completely humble about her success, which makes her fans love her even more. For myself, seeing her live has only enhanced my love for her music!