My introduction to the music of Tenille Townes came as part of the C2C Festival, back in March last, at the 3Arena. She was given the opening slot on the Friday night and didn’t get enough stage time to make a strong impression on the small crowd, many of whom were only arriving at the venue during her set. This second visit could not have been in greater contrast. Kicking off her European tour in Dublin proves to be a wise decision as the reaction from a packed Workman’s Club audience could not have been more positive.
Tenille returns with just her guitars for accompaniment and her stripped down acoustic performance gives everybody gathered a rare opportunity to hear her songs in a completely new way. Often the original magic in creating a song on acoustic guitar can get lost in the studio and the nuance can fall victim to overproduction techniques that change the dynamic. Well, there can be no hiding place when you face a room full of people who want to study your every move and to observe your playing style up close and personal. Happily, Tenille not only writes superbly crafted songs full of honest emotion and empathy but she also exudes that star quality in her performance that marks her out from a lot of the new generation of female country artists. Her high-octane stage craft is very infectious and the pacing of the show is beautifully judged with the audience on her side from the start.
Tenille is genuinely surprised by the enthusiastic crowd singing her song lyrics back to her and clearly warms to the task of displaying her special qualities. A winning personality and broad smile are ever present as she chats easily between songs, explaining the stories behind the lyrics and the feelings that she channels through her words in being able to reach out to people and make connections.
The set includes seventeen songs, all performed with an energy and style that confirms the huge passion Tenille has for being in the moment and sharing the electricity generated by a full venue, post Covid. There are seven songs played from her recent album, THE LEMONADE STAND (2020), including opening songs, Where You Are and White Horse.
During Covid lockdown, Tenille wrote a new batch of tunes, many from a more personal perspective, and her recent EP release, MASQUERADES (2022) includes seven of these. Tonight, we are treated to three of the tracks and Same Road Home, When’s It Gonna Happen and Sound Of Being Alone are featured. Her powerful vocal is delivered with such confidence, adding great character to the performance. The more up-tempo numbers like Come As You Are getting balanced by a look into the reflective side of her song writing and her insight into issues such as homelessness, social injustice, and the cruelty of fate and circumstance. Tenille delivers a very moving performance of Jersey On the Wall – I’m Just Asking in which she questions the presence of a deity who would allow random acts that bring pain and suffering to people. In this case a true story of a car crash that took away a young life and all the potential not fulfilled - the meaninglessness of it really hitting hard on the chorus. Not one to ever hold back, Tenille visits the issue of homelessness on Somebody’s Daughter, through her experience of meeting a young girl begging on the street, a situation that Tenille has acted upon by holding an annual benefit for child shelters – a cause that has seen her raise in excess of $1.5 million in financial support.
Another powerful performance is When I Meet My Maker a song that echoes some of those big questions that we all have when growing up and Girl That Didn’t Care reflects back on childhood and the lost sense of innocence. A new song, As You Are is well received and her questions concerning having a meaningful relationship while building her music career informs the words of When’s It Gonna Happen, a new single taken from the MASQUERADES release. Another song, The Last Time is a highlight, with everyone relating the core message of living in the moment and the need to make lasting memories.
Tenille is never afraid to tackle an iconic song and tonight she offers up renditions of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2), Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen), Landslide (Fleetwood Mac) and a killer final encore of the classic standard, At Last (Gordon/Warren).
This was a night where this Canadian artist could do no wrong. One of those shows where you knew that it was special to be in the room. The trajectory of her career will continue to reach greater heights and her return to Ireland will certainly see much bigger venues beckon. An impressive songwriter and musician, Tenille displayed both a vulnerability and honesty that brought a special edge and joy to her stage performance. She delivered her music with both aplomb and élan – and on this night, the enthusiastic crowd felt the presence of real star quality.
Coda: The opening act tonight was Saibh Skelly, our local talent that has been gaining a lot of traction on social media of late. She has all the confidence of a fearless 17-year-old and her performance wins many new admirers. Playing songs from her debut EP, she sings in a quietly powerful vocal tone and highlights her new single Grow Up in a set that is impressive and indicative of greater success to follow.
Review and photo by Paul McGee