There was a palpable sense of anticipation in the sold-out Tabernacle in Notting Hill last night as country-pop/folk singer Cam took to the stage to rapturous applause. The venue, packed and sweltering on a humid London evening, became even warmer as Cam appeared, quipping that the clapping might be the only thing moving air around the room. From the outset, this album launch show for her upcoming release ‘All Things Light’ felt personal, relaxed and full of emotional honesty—a stripped-back performance that matched the introspective themes of the new record.
Opening with ‘Slow Down,’ Cam immediately set the tone with a retro-tinged, Patsy Cline-style ballad, complete with a charming western whistle from her keyboardist. It was clear this wasn’t going to be a glossy showcase of pop sheen, but something more raw, more intimate. She followed it with the stark and powerful ‘Turns Out That I Am God,’ a deeply personal track inspired by her experience of motherhood and postpartum struggles after the pandemic. Cam shared her thoughts on death and spirituality, describing how she believes our inner light returns to the stars—making this one of the most vulnerable and moving moments of the night.
Acknowledging both the emotional and physical intensity of the performance, Cam kicked off her shoes mid-set (“They’re pointy!”) and launched into ‘Everblue,’ a song that features one of her favourite lines from the album: “I’m all done chasing what wasn’t meant for me.” The real centrepiece of the evening came with ‘Canyon,’ a delicate, harmony-laced reflection with strong Laurel Canyon vibes. Cam explained the song’s essence as “howling at the moon” in search of answers you may never get—highlighting the universal human craving for meaning in the unknown. “If you haven’t got the context yet—it’s quite a dark record! I mean, y’all,” she joked, drawing laughs and nods from the audience.
From there, the set moved seamlessly into ‘Hallelujah,’ a song Cam introduced as a meditation on life after the pandemic, isolation and disconnection. The raw lyricism and sparse instrumentation let her vocals shine, adding emotional weight. ‘Alchemy’ lightened the tone—at least musically—with its funk-pop energy and philosophical musings, even managing to reference Buddhist death meditations while still getting the audience moving. It was perhaps the most upbeat track of the night, and a showcase for Cam’s range—not just vocally, but emotionally.
There was no shortage of poignant storytelling either. ‘Just for You’ was a touching tribute to Cam’s sister, and the story of the soulful ‘Kill the Guru’ cleverly tied back to her breakout hit “Burning House,” this time exploring a failed spiritual quest that saw her fleeing to Egypt—only to discover the supposed guru was just a narcissist in disguise. Her candid storytelling, humour, and musical agility made this song’s funky undertones come alive, even in its stripped-down version. The final song of the album preview set, ‘Never Mine,’ was a haunting highlight—a song she began at 24 and only just finished now, at 40. Its themes of loss and lingering memory landed beautifully in the hushed room. “I’m a sad, sad girly, you know?” she said after, prompting laughter and a round of applause.
Cam closed the night with a run of three songs not from the new album. First came a reverent take on Beyoncé’s ‘American Requiem,’a nod to her collaboration on Cowboy Carter—Cam transforming it into a gospel-tinged hymnal. Then came the big crowd-pleasers: ‘Diane’ and ‘Burning House.’ She urged the 300-strong crowd to stand and dance, and they obliged joyfully, singing along to every word. It was a fitting end to a deeply heartfelt show.
Tonight wasn’t just a concert—it was a window into Cam’s soul, and a celebration of vulnerability, creativity and connection. Fulfilling a promise she made in 2017 to return to the Tabernacle, Cam gave her London fans a rare and intimate glimpse into ‘All Things Light,’ days ahead of its release. Warm, witty and vocally radiant, she reminded everyone in the room why her music continues to resonate so deeply. This was a truly special evening—equal parts cathartic, charming and unforgettable.
Set List: 1. Slow Down 2. Turns Out That I Am God 3. Everblue 4. Canyon 5. Hallelujah 6. Alchemy 7. Just For You 8. Kill the Guru 9. Never Mine 10. American Requiem 11. Diane 12. Burning House Venue: The Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London Date: July 10th
