Amanda Shires

Venue:

The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London

Date: 09/06/2026

“Welcome to Amanda Shires’ Church of Chrysanthemums and Misery” was the self deprecating introduction after her opening songs.

I suspect most are aware of her history, but for those who aren’t, she was married for over ten years to Jason Isbell, before a divorce a couple of years ago.

Her last two albums have dealt with that process, and most of tonight’s set is taken from them. “Take It Like A Man” dealt with the disintegration and “Nobody’s Girl” the divorce and aftermath. His name is never spoken, but then it doesn’t need to be.

She opened with Highwomen, the title track from her superstar collaboration from some years back, then it was into Empty Cups (You’re leaving now through the hole of an argument, I guess for a while you’ve been looking for the exit…) followed by A Way It Goes (I can show you how he left me, paint a picture…). She delivers these with such emotion – no histrionics or melodrama, just digging deep into her heart and baring her soul.

I was wondering how she could do this night after night and stay sane. I was wondering if she continued in this vein, would I be reduced to a quivering wreck by the end.

She immediately reduced the intensity with that introduction. There’s a vase of chrysanthemums on the table with her drink while the venue is a converted church.

It’s just Amanda on violin and, for a few songs, ukulele plus Peter Levin on keyboard, so the focus is very much on her with no distractions.

She’s on very good form and relaxed, engaging with the audience and enjoying the fact she’s performing live and seeing positives arising from a freedom she never looked for – “This is my first ever tour as a single woman” – and other opportunities that she’s presented with.

Streetlight And Stars (also her official name for the tour) she explains arose from a spontaneous decision to go to New York and then she got a song out of it.

For Friend Zone she jumps down off the stage and after chatting with people in the front rows, wandering up the steps on either side as she sings.

When she sits to play ukulele she plays Break Out The Champagne in response to a request saying after she hadn’t sung that one for years.

The encore started with a slightly overlong merchandising pitch involving her road manager. Initially amusing it overstayed its welcome, but that was the only false note all night. She finished performing her song Lately before departing the stage to a standing ovation.

This gig was overall a joy. I wish I could recommend that you go and see her, but unless you’re on the European mainland, you’ve missed your chance.

Coincidentally I’m going to see Jason tomorrow. Will he be able to match this performance?

The audience:

Quite a wide range, from mid 20s up to senior citizens like me. There were definitely more women than men.
The behaviour was impeccable.

It made me think..

This was the first time I had been to this venue. As noted it’s a converted church. There’s a bar and restaurant on the ground level and upstairs there’s a theatre. The sightlines were excellent as were the acoustics. It’s only a short walk from Westbourne Park tube. I’d be happy to see more gigs here.
Meanwhile I hope Amanda finds happiness and fulfilment in the future, through the legacy of hurt has enabled her to produce two excellent albums.

4