With its cosy setting, the diminutive downstairs room at Clwb Ifor Bach proved the perfect place for 18-year-old Gabrielle Aplin’s intimate performance.
Kicking off her headline tour in the capital, the singer-songwriter from Bath modestly appeared on a makeshift stage delicately decorated with fairy lights. Initially nerves got the better of the talented teen, but after an awkward silence and announcing that it was her debut show in Wales, Aplin grew in confidence and urged for the rather large audience to sit cross-legged in front of the stage.
Satisfied with the seated spectators Aplin gracefully grabbed her acoustic guitar and launched into her hour-long set with poise and precision. Providing punters with her folk-tinged pop, the pint-sized singer appeared at ease and showed no signs of anxiety during her intimate performance.
As well as captivating the crowd with her powerful pitch-perfect pipes and gifted guitar playing, the singer also impressed with her beautiful self-taught piano skills. Serving up a selection of songs from her Acoustic EP, including Reverse and Ghosts, along with covers of Kings Of Leon’s Use Somebody and Cee Lo Green’s Fuck You, Aplin dynamically delivered an entertaining and eloquent set.
It might have been her debut show in Wales, but judging by the raptuous reception the singer received as she left the stage, it definitely won’t be her last.