Sam Windley is the sun streaming in through your window when you sleep in on a Sunday. Windley is charming, witty and posses a warmth that spreads throughout a crowd as she delivers her smooth acoustic set. This is a musician with something to say, her set is intimate and captivating.

I found myself wanting to know more about the songs and more about the narrative she was telling. In between songs Windley chats easily with an eager crowd about a half desiccated jellyfish being thrown at her guitar. I know this seems strange but under the warm glow of the CrowBar’s lights and in context this story adds to Sam’s quirky charm. Sam presented an undeniably unforgettable set. Her music creates a narrative and leaves you beginning for more.

I really can’t explain how strange it is for me to be writing about John Floreani. This is the man I compare all other musicians. When I write reviews or think about songs, I always hold them to the John Floreani standard. For me, there are few better musicians writing and performing at the moment. Floreani has an unrivalled honesty, his music explores the complexity of life, relationships and the struggles of humanity. There is a tendency to feel like we know musicians we admire, we find there work so relatable we feel that we must know them. John Floreani has always been this higher power in my mind.

He posses an untouchable quality, a complexity I couldn’t even begin to unravel. When you unpick the layers of his songs you are presented with humanity in its purest form, in all of its chaos. His early set at the Crowbar was full of emotion. His in between song banter carried from light hearted joking about a crowd members laugh that was slightly reminiscent of a seal and much heavier topics such as the tragic passing of a friend. I want to say he played all the crowd favourites, but this man doesn’t have a bad track so every song is a favourite. I was personally ecstatic to hear “Before the Devil Knows I’m Dead” and “I don’t want to be here either” both of these songs hold a real emotional significance for me, so hearing them live is always a bit of a morale boost. The thing about a John Floreani set is that you walk out more self aware than you walk in. Every time I see John Floreani perform a solo set, I walk out thinking about the impact we have as individuals on the lives of others. Friday’s set at the Crowbar was no different.

The irony in the tour being called “We need to Talk” is that really most of the time what we need to do is listen and John Floreani is worth listening too. His uncanny ability to draw you in to his narrative and simultaneously make you reflect on your own is why I truly believe this man is unrivalled. He is a musician with something to say.

On a personal level, I don’t like to meet my idols. I am too scared I might need to gently remove them from the pedestal I placed them on. However, Shooting this gig was a milestone for me. When I started on Photography journey 2 years ago, I set out with one fairly narrow goal. Be good enough to shoot Trophy Eyes/ John Floreani. To celebrate, I waited after the gig to buy a shirt and I watched this man sign countless shirts, take selfies and chat with every person who waited after the show. I think this is what makes John Floreani an exceptional musician, his willingness to connect with people.

This was the most incredible night and this experience will live rent free in my mind for a long time.