LIVE: Oh Sister - Power Lunches, London, 07.07.15

After assembling an all girl band, allowing her to truly emulate her recordings, and the EP release fast approaching, there was no better way for Oh Sister (AKA Sarah Berresford) to celebrate than a night at Dalston’s Power Lunches.

Whilst there’s often a risk that events like this – ones that are inevitably personal and intimate – will become cliquey, the night had a genuine sense of camaraderie. Support came from Sanarme, who had played open mics with (and been quite rightly pushed to perform by) Sarah, as well as L A Salami – another friend, and one of the best songwriters around at the moment.

The venue, if a little small, was the perfect host for Oh Sister: with the rather lax ‘no drinks outside’ rule, and general air of calm, Oh Sister made it feel like home for the evening.

By the time they take to the stage, the amount of spectators seems to have doubled, doubled once again by the mirror down the side of the room. A daunting sight, no doubt, but Sarah and the band remain cool and collected: despite the sweltering heat in the room, they stay impressively fresh faced, just one of their many charms. Said charms, of course, are topped by the music itself. Lulling and beautiful, the emotion and expression of Sarah’s voice is only amplified by the band. When someone has spent so long with just their voice and a guitar, adding a band can be risky, yet Oh Sister has truly benefited from it; the band slot in perfectly, complete the look and the sound, and add to the overall live atmosphere.

Playing through tracks from the upcoming EP, as well as a couple more, Oh Sister had the room mesmerised. It’s refreshingly new – exciting but not swaying too far from the traditional folk elements. And, let’s be honest, nothing’s more exciting than a very lovely all girl band, making bloody good music.

Melissa Svensen
@melyeaahh