As the pocket-sized powerhouse entered stage-right, the anxious crowd was awash with relief. Having an audience on tenterhooks – wondering if you will even show up – is perhaps not the best way to start a live set.

Performances of tracks from Amy’s Mercury nominated album Back To Black showcased her raw talent and vocal qualities and, combined with her accomplished backing band, she seemed the very definition of slick. However, her occasional attempts to engage with the audience left many feeling a little confused. Her speech, which trailed off at times, and her apparent frustration (was she drunk, tired or just pissed off?) after the first few songs made the atmosphere awkward at best. It came down to the quality of the songs to rescue things whenever the mood took a downturn. And rescue they valiantly did, with each track performed with vigour to an audience who knew and loved them all.  

Having travelled from London by train earlier that day, and with recent high profile gigs cancelled due to exhaustion, it was perhaps foolish to expect a knockout gig from Amy at Eden. There were cheers and applause aplenty, but the audience, many of whom were reclining with wicker picnic baskets, seemed a tad too timid and apathetic for the singers liking (strange, taking into account the ticket price/travel involved in actually getting into the gig).

Sadly we just couldn’t seem to give Amy what she wanted, whatever that was (we’re not sure even she could tell you…). (Lotte Mahon)

Check out this vid from the gig: