Stella Donnelly heads back to Wales for an intimate gig to celebrate the release of third studio album ‘Love and Fortune‘
Being first language Welsh, Australian singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly is more than familiar with this side of the world, particularly her mother’s hometown of Morriston in Swansea, where she attended a Welsh-language school.
Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach is the first stop on a two-week-long UK and Europe tour to mark the release of November’s ‘Love and Fortune,‘ the songwriter’s first international tour in over two years. Stella’s joined by Welsh-language unit Pys Melyn for two dates in Cardiff and Manchester, who bring a distinctive traditional edge, making striking use of upright bass and pedal steel guitar.
Though appearing right at home onstage, light and bubbly in nature as she switches between guitar and keyboard, Stella hilariously compares the new songs in the set to a slightly uncomfortable G-string. ‘Laying Low’ delivers a dreamy opening to the set, with its meaty bass, soothing guitars and embracing synth scape. ‘Feel It Change’ is entrancing, capturing Stella’s easy wit and playful charm that consistently pulls her a crowd.
Elsewhere, stripped-back ‘Love and Fortune‘ moments, ‘Year of Trouble,’ and the beautifully anthemic ‘Baths‘ provide a moment for Stella’s delicate vocal delivery to stand independently. At its core, the album reflects a friendship falling apart, alongside the burnout Stella experienced after being dropped by her former label, Secretly Canadian. It’s no wonder this part of the set feels so fragile.
After bouts of toilet humour and songs that place lyrics centre stage, she slips back into older territory, proclaiming “fuck it” as she crab dances to ‘Die’. Meanwhile, ‘U Owe Me’ is dedicated to the pub she used to work at back in Australia. The familiar sounds and social commentary of ‘Old Man’ and ‘Beware Of The Dogs’ still ring true, reaffirming Stella’s ability to weave politics into her music organically.
There’s even time to fit a few lines of ‘Danny Boy’ in for the locals before the night’s up, following the punchy ‘Tricks’ which closes the night’. It’s been lighthearted and moving in equal measures, a testament to Stella’s tenacity and songwriting spark.
Listen to ‘Love and Fortune’ here: