Beth Orton - London Electric Ballroom, 9/7/2002
by Anthony Strutt
published: 17 / 7 / 2002

intro
English singer-songwriter Beth Orton is back with both a new band and an accclaimed new album 'Daybreaker' . Long term fan Anthony Strutt finds her to be on powerful form at a show at London's Electric Ballroom
I have been watching Beth Orton live on stage since '96 and whereas originally she would appear accompanied just by her guitarist, Ted Barnes, her new band, which still includes Ted Barnes, completely fills the stage tonight at the over packed Electric Ballroom. She comes on at about 9pm and plays till past 11pm. This gig shows how she come on as both a songwriter and a live performer. She has always come up with the goods, but now is totally at home on the stage, telling us three jokes, two which were terrible, one that was alright and easily handling hecklers. Dressed all in black and coming on solo and ending the set solo too, she pours out most of her new album 'Daybreaker', which sounds very powerful on the Camden audience's ears. I first heard the majority of these songs at Beth's Rough Trade show last March, but then it was a stripped down gig, so we didn't really hear how well thought out these songs were and at that stage in which direction they would go. The new songs sound better developed, more orchestral and at times are a bit Bjork-ish which isn't a bad thing in my book. At times Beth is having such a good time that some of the songs suffer as she rushes them. 'Someone's Daughter' was unrecognisable for a while, and even 'She Calls Your Name', while maintaining its sweet taste of violin, loses its heavy bass and the funky introduction at its beginning. On the whole if you had to describe tonight's show, it was very Beth. It was more orchestrated, more folky, more dancey, but in a mature way which would appeal to non clubbers. Just really a great night with a great girl !
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/beth_ortonhttps://www.facebook.com/BethOrtonOfficial/
http://www.bethortonofficial.com/
http://www.songkick.com/artists/308960-beth-orton
https://www.instagram.com/bethorton/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xWOwA9yoRanf8fDsNT_YA
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-


favourite album |
Central Reservation (2014) |
![]() |
In our 'Re:View' section, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, Anthony Strutt reflects on English singer-songwriter Beth Orton's 1999 album 'Central Reservation', which has just been re-released in a new double CD edition |
Trailer Park (2009) |
soundcloud
reviews |
Weather Alive (2022) |
![]() |
Ethereal and ambient seventh album which was acclaimed over six years from critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Beth Orton |
Kidsticks (2016) |
Shopping Trolley / Comfort Of Strangers (2006) |
Conceived (2006) |
Comfort Of Strangers (2006) |
Pass In Time Definitive Collection (2003) |
Thinking About Tomorrow (2003) |
Daybreaker (2002) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Chris Wade - Interview
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Credits - ARC, Liverpool, 17/5.2025
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBarrie Barlow - Interview
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Serge Gainsbourg - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Little Simz - Lotus
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart