Lera Lynn Lends A Touch Of Elegance To Omeara

by | Dec 6, 2022

While Lera Lynn began as many artists do by grafting, honing their craft and playing shows, her career was propelled into the mainstream when she both contributed music as well as played a small on-screen role in the second season of the hugely popular noir drama True Detective. But it was fighting free from the mirth and gloom of those songs that the true sparkle of Lynn’s talent shone through. But it’s been a beat since the Nashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter was last in the U.K., 2018 in fact when she played at the very venue in which we now all stand as part of a run of shows in support of fifth record Plays Well With Others.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

But then having a baby and dealing with postnatal depression while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is what bore the fruit that is this year’s Something More Than Love L.P., a record produced alongside her partner both on-stage and off, Todd Lombardo

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

And it is new album opener Illusion that kicks off the music tonight. There has been no support, but the tiny London Bridge venue is primed for a low-key show featuring Lynn and Lombardo accompanied by their guitars and “driving a rocketship” as Lynn refers to her pedal setup, which controls both her guitar effects as well as a secondary vocal microphone. The stripped-back nature of the show lends itself particularly well to the 37-year-old Houston, Texas-born songstress’s brand of American-tinged folk rock, her stunning vocals ever-present atop delicious guitars.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

“Oh my gosh, it’s so lovely to see you” she exclaims, beaming at her audience. “It’s been four years since we’ve played in London, which is fucked up” she laughs, chuckles rippling across the tiny theatre. “But here we are on the other side and I’m very happy to be here” she continues before the pair launch into foot-stomping On My Own opener Are You Listening? 2016’s fantastic Resistor is touched upon next, Cut + Burn’s slow-drive beat (courtesy of a drum pedal controlled by Lynn) and shimmering guitars having the Omeara crowd both mesmerised and swaying along.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

“Since we were here last, did we release four records?” Lynn asks, to which Lombardo responds “At least three”, Lynn continuing to count out the records by name. “So we’re going to play something from everything tonight” she continues to cheers. “I’m so glad you weren’t like ‘booooo, just do True Detective so we can leave’” to laughs from her audience. Slowly building Golden Sun from the latest L.P. is aired next, Lombardo’s delicate guitar coupled with Lynn’s vocal and drum pedals distracting from the absence of a larger band completely.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

Lera Lynn
Lera Lynn

“When we were making Something More Than Love we had a brand new baby” Lynn begins. “I guess all babies are brand new” she jests before describing the importance of making a record accessible to all but heavily influenced by hers and Lombardo’s situation, dealing with pandemic restrictions as well postnatal depression. “I think it’s really important to talk about it, it can get really dark and it’s totally normal” she says before the duo kick off Cog In The Machine.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

“How are you guys doing? You went out on a Friday night to listen to some slow sad songs” Lynn offers after One My Own cut So Far, the London crowd taken with her dry wit. What Is This Body? and Conflict Of Interest continue the soulfully melancholy of the new record, the latter introducing beats back into the show.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

Moody One My Own cut Dark Horse garners cheers from the audience, the noir-infused tune eliciting a gentle sway from the London Bridge crowd before new album cut I’m Your Kamikaze is given an airing. The main set is closed out with the soulful melancholy of Black River giving way to upbeat Resistor single Shape Shifter, these stripped-back renditions feeling more than perfectly at home within the arch under railway tracks that is Omeara.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

Following the briefest of stage departures, Lynn returns unaccompanied. “Do you think the encore was invented so that people who were tired of standing had an opportunity to leave” she jests. “Just curious, what is this tradition?” she continues before picking out the intro to noir Americana True Detective song The Only Thing Worth Fighting For.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

The title track from Something More Than Love should close out tonight’s show but in addition to this, Lynn and Lombardo pay homage to the late Christie McVie, following the Fleetwood Mac singer’s passing this week with a rendition of the McVie-penned 1987 hit Little Lies, Lynn stumbling with the lyrics part way through, eliciting help from her audience but delivering real justice to the classic song. All-in-all a very endearing touch to a dry humour-filled 75 minutes of electrifying if sombre music.

Lera Lynn @ Omeara

Lera Lynn and Tom Lombardo continue their European tour through December with stops across Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Read Nicola Greenbrook’s fantastic interview with Lera Lynn during her Resistor tour: Feature: Lera Lynn, Otherworldly Evocative Americana and read my review of her show at the Islington Assembly Hall: Live: Lera Lynn @ Islington Assembly Hall.

Live review and photography of Lera Lynn @ Omeara by Kalpesh Patel on 2nd December 2022.

Holly Humberstone Has The Best Night Of Her Life At Brixton

Third Eye Blind @ Islington Assembly Hall (Kalpesh Patel)

Third Eye Blind Bring Chaos, Charm And Catharsis To London’s Islington Assembly Hall

An ominous, synth-driven hum filled the room at Islington Assembly Hall, a restless Thursday night crowd buzzing beneath it. Then — silence. A heartbeat later, the guitars of Thanks A Lot burst to life as Stephen Jenkins strode onto the stage in crisp white trousers and a beanie, his guitar hung low, his every movement theatrical. The room erupted. Without a word, Third Eye Blind were off and running — all muscle, melody and memory.

Darius Rucker @ Utilita Arena Birmingham (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Country Spirit Soars As Darius Rucker Brings Nashville Energy To Birmingham

It was a night of country music highs at the Utilita Arena Birmingham as Darius Rucker brought his unmistakable voice and charisma to the city. The South Carolina-born star has long been a bridge between country traditions and mainstream appeal, and his stop in Birmingham underlined why he remains one of the genre’s most enduring figures. Before the headline act took the stage, the crowd was treated to a journey through some of country’s brightest stars, each setting the mood in their own way.

Fickle Friends (Daniel Alexander Harris)

Fickle Friends Bottle The Chaos Of New Love On Single ‘Joe’ Ahead Of Self-Titled Album

Brighton indie-pop favourites Fickle Friends have unveiled their latest single Joe, a bold and chaotic anthem that...
W.A.S.P. @ Hammersmith Apollo (Louise Phillips)

Blackie Lawless Reigns Supreme: W.A.S.P. Ignite Eventim Apollo With Shock-Rock Fury

Blackie Lawless is to Rock what the Milky Bar Kid is to chocolate, an unforgettable icon with a legendary status who seems to defy the normal rules of ageing! And tonight at the packed Eventim Apollo he is a man clearly intent on giving the audience a night that they will never forget.

Madness @ Uptown Festival 2024 (Kalpesh Patel)

Madness Announce Greatest Hits Album Hit Parade & 2025 UK Arena Tour

The original Nutty Boys are back. Camden legends Madness have announced the release of their new greatest hits collection, Hit Parade, out on 21st November 2025 via West Village Music Management. The career-spanning anthology celebrates more than four decades of chart-topping singles, fan favourites, and rare gems from one of Britain’s most beloved bands.

Robert Smith of The Cure @ Glastonbury Festival 2019 (Kalpesh Patel)

Isle Of Wight Festival 2026: Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris & The Cure Lead A Landmark Line-Up

The Isle of Wight Festival 2026 has unveiled its headliners and first wave of artists, setting the stage for another...
English Teacher (Press)

War Child UK Announces Support Acts For ‘Day Of The Girl’ Concerts Featuring Girli, English Teacher & Katy J Pearson

War Child UK has confirmed the support acts for its upcoming Day Of The Girl concerts, which will see headline performances from girli, English Teacher, and Katy J Pearson this October. The series of intimate shows will raise vital funds for girls and women affected by conflict around the world.

Face Yourself (Press)

Face Yourself Dive Into Darkness With New EP ‘Fury’ And Single ‘Wet Dreams’

Transcontinental deathcore collective Face Yourself have unleashed their brand-new EP Fury via Sumerian Records, accompanied by the release of the music video for their latest single Wet Dreams. The five-track record marks the band’s most ambitious and technically refined work to date, expanding upon the raw energy of their breakthrough Martyr EP.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing