Live Report: Billie Marten casts warmth on Vicar St with intimate folk gig

The sun’s warmth once again returns to Dublin after weeks away, with several days of sunshine prepared for a mid-week Billie Marten show at Vicar St. Rows of tables line the floor, with concertgoers in their seats an hour before the gig is set to begin, they wait eagerly, but patient.

Canadian singer-songwriter Le Ren acts as a prelude to the main event, as she performs a short folk set, cramming in quips and self-deprecation between each song. She explains her relationship with Ireland, a story of ex-boyfriends and rural artist residencies; she emphasises the inspiration she takes from the landscape. The evening could be interpreted as her stand-up comedy routine if she were not leaving audience members on the verge of tears with each solemn tune, her sound reminiscent of Loretta Lynn and Jessica Pratt.

Le Ren supporting Billie Marten at Vicar Street on November 5th, 2025. Copyright Grace Swartout/ hotpress.com

Before you know it, Billie Marten emerges from the wings, her percussionist and bassist stand stationed at her sides. The crowd reacts with what can only be described as nervous laughter, the anticipation becoming overwhelming. Behind her is a large tapestry, illustrated with an outline of the English singer's newest album, Dog Eared’s cover art.

She opens with ‘feeling’. Each song feels short and sweet, with many of her tracks making allusions towards nature, a cohesive theme that makes Billie Martens music feel almost environmental, as if her voice is itself the whispers of wind through grass, or the strumming of her guitar a rustling forest.

“Just us and the two flies on the wall. They're ours and we call them beautiful. And we are the weather and we are the pain. Never alone and never the same”, she sings on ‘Just Us’.

Billie Marten at Vicar Street on November 5th, 2025. Copyright Grace Swartout/ hotpress.com

The lights reflected on the tapestry change with each song, like a mood ring instructing the audience how to feel. As she plays her low and moody hit single 'Vanilla Baby', the band leaves her side, and alone she faces the crowd. The audience is not one for chattiness nor singing along, they seem to hold their breath with the worry that they might miss something. Every track ends with a roaring of applause, something the audience has stayed holding in through each acoustic ballad.

Before playing 'Mice' from her 2019 album Feeding Horses By Hand, she requests the audience take to their feet for a slow dance. Her vibrato is strong yet soft, flowing out of her like a hymn as the crowd sways from side to side, some drawing lovers close, taking them by the hand.

"Dublin for fucks sake, what fresh hell have I unleashed," she says breaking the tension with humour. "That was a very pretty moment in my life there, thank you.”

She expresses feelings of thirst to the audience, explaining she truly only craves a Guinness. Her request is fulfilled as a crew member presents each band member with a generously poured black pint. She sips away in satisfaction.

Billie Marten at Vicar Street on November 5th, 2025. Copyright Grace Swartout/ hotpress.com

After attempting an exit, she is called back to stage for an encore. With her she brings along a violinist introduced as Garreth, before guiding the audience with their next set of instructions. Splitting the crowd into two sections, she invites them to harmonise on her final song 'Swing' off of her latest album.

'Swing' allows Billie Marten to showcase her bluegrass influences, with Garreth's bow accenting a warm folk-twang. Through the intense power of Billie Marten, the crowd joined in with soft 'oohs', culminating in an intense feeling of community and belonging.

Tilting her pint glass towards the audience, Billie Marten makes her final exit, with fans standing still, holding on to any lingering moment they can.

Billie Marten at Vicar Street on November 5th, 2025. Photo credit: Grace Swartout.