Madison Cunningham Enchants at Toronto’s The Concert Hall
With the house lights brought up upon a stage carefully arranged with a full band of instruments, Madison Cunningham’s signature finger-picking tremolo rings through the speakers as the singer-songwriter is illuminated. Toronto’s The Concert Hall is immediately made intimate, attuned to a ’60s folk festival with an audience of open ears. The spirit of a modern Laurel Canyon instantly seeps through the speakers as Cunningham opens with “Sara and the Silent Crowd,” the closing track to her Grammy Award-winning album “Revealer.”
Cunningham is a naturally commanding performer in all the subtleties that come with performing within the style she has planted her feet in. The natural blend between her own instrumentation intertwines beautifully alongside her band with a voice that gracefully floats atop the ensemble. With a songwriting style so intricate, every tune translates in an equally engaging way both acoustically and with a band.
The spirit of jazz’s complex, compelling nature is infused through the facet of singer-songwriter she occupies in a way akin to Joni Mitchell yet entirely unique in her own right. Her lyrics paint upon a personal canvas with storytelling that flows as naturally as a diary entry. Drenched in clever similes and beautiful prose, her lyrical voice is unique yet universal in its relatability. Regardless of release date, every track performed proved to be a standout in her mastery of lyricism, with an extra treat of two unreleased songs for her encore.
Although half the setlist was reserved for her latest album release, the rest is dotted with a pleasant blend of past singles, deep cuts, and non-album singles. Whether a long-time listener or somebody fresh to the party, her set is easily a treat for the ears. The audience was held within the palm of her hand with a grasp so tight, the majority of the crowd were quick to hush anyone chatting during and between songs. Madison Cunningham is one of the strongest songwriters within her niche today and is a must-listen for anyone yearning for a fresh take on ’60s singer-songwriter nostalgia for the modern age.
Photo’s (c) Carla Haddad
