Jonatha Brooke at TCAN in Natick Massachusetts
Singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke returned to the Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) October 25 for a heartfelt performance that felt like a visit from an old friend and reminded everyone why she has been one of the most compelling voices in contemporary folk-pop.
TCAN’s intimate firehouse-turned-theater setting is made for artists like her: comfortable on stage with the focus on the artist and songs. Within the first few notes of Linger, she had the audience’s rapt attention.
Brooke’s artistry lies in the balance between vulnerability and strength, and she showed plenty of both during the night. Between songs she engaged in easy banter, with subjects as varied as marriage, sex, menopause, guitar tuning, and the fate of the Citco Sign in Kenmore Square, all served with a large dose of humor. She invited requests, including one from a former bride who used King of my Love as her wedding song and joined in to sing.
Musically, the set was rich and varied. Highlights included “Red Dress,” sung with aching reflection, and “Inconsolable,” which featured Sean Driscoll with a stunning guitar solo. A few deeper cuts delighted longtime fans, and Brooke introduced a new song, “A Little Thing,” resulting from a fire in her apartment building. Driscoll’s work on electric guitar added depth to her acoustic rhythm lead without being overbearing. He and Brooke have an easy rapport that added to the casual atmosphere.
The sound mix was solid—crisp vocals and warm acoustic tone throughout. TCAN’s small space allows for that, giving the performance an immediacy rarely found in larger venues. The audience responded in kind: hushed during the verses, erupting in applause between songs, and rising to their feet for a encore that closed with “Because I Told You So,” a worthy farewell. Brooke noted after the set that the audience was somewhat reserved, in contrast to her show in Plymouth the prior night, which she described as ‘rowdy.’
Jonatha Brooke’s concert at TCAN was a reminder of what live music can be at its best: honest, intimate, and human. Many singer-songwriters perform by rote and make limited effort to connect personally with the audience, Brooke made them feel like they were seen and heard. It was an evening to be savored—a homecoming for one of New England’s musical treasures.
Find show dates and more information here on her website: https://jonathabrooke.com
Setlist:
Linger
Red Dress
Back in the Circus
Fire
Midnight Hallelujah
Are You Getting This Down?
The Angel in the House
Alice
A Little Thing (new)
West Point
King of my Love
Prodigal Daughter
Taste of Danger
So Much Mine
Because I Told You So
