SINGER-SONGWRITER Newton Faulkner performed an intimate show at The Old Fire Station while road testing songs for his forthcoming album. For an hour and a half he played a captivating mix of popular old material and soon-to-be popular new material.

Support band Emily and the Woods set the laid-back tone of the evening with her humble acoustic set that showcased a beautiful voice. Dovetailing perfectly with the dreadlocked Faulkner, the singer didn’t disappoint either and gently strummed his way through numbers such as I Need Something, People Should Smile More and To The Light.

As part of his live show he likes to mix in the odd cover or two, most notably Massive Attack’s Teardrop and at this show Stevie Wonder’s Superstition. Despite Newton’s hippy aesthetics he also had time to gently plug his new album out in July and an EP next month.

It was a fun evening, but at times his delicate acoustic sound was accompanied by the unwelcome noise from the surrounding bar. For solo artists and acoustic sets, perhaps The Old Fire Station may need to crank up the speakers at the back.

Greg Bryant