Live Review: Amanda Marshall – 23rd July 2026 – The Lower Third, London, UK

Tucked away down a narrow alley just off Tottenham Court Road and branching off of one of Britain’s most famous musical streets, Denmark Street, The Lower Third is an intimate underground venue with a capacity of around 200. It has become something of a hotspot for catching acclaimed artists in a stripped-back setting, and last night it hosted a performance that many thought might never happen.

More than 30 years after bursting onto the international scene and over two decades since she last performed in the UK, Canadian singer-songwriter Amanda Marshall finally returned to British soil for a one-off London show. Following years away from the music industry due to lengthy legal battles and management disputes, her comeback has been long awaited by a fiercely loyal fanbase – and judging by the packed venue, nobody was about to miss it.

For many, Marshall was one of the defining voices of the female singer-songwriter boom of the mid-1990s. Her self-titled debut album remains iconic, not just for its striking artwork featuring a confident, barefoot Marshall perched on a sofa on a beach, framed by those instantly recognisable flowing locks. It was a bold cover from a bold artist. Three decades later, Amanda Marshall remains every bit as fearless, funny and one of the most joyous artists in music.

Taking to the tiny Soho stage just before 9pm alongside two guitarists, Marshall was greeted with a roar from a crowd that had waited far longer than anyone expected for her return. Many in attendance had travelled from afar or were fellow Canadians, adding an unmistakably patriotic atmosphere to the evening as chants and cheers echoed around the room before she’d even sung a note.

The opening perfectly set the tone. Marshall began with an a cappella rendition of Tina Turner’s I Can’t Stand the Rain, seamlessly flowing into her breakthrough single Let It Rain, before closing the song with a brief nod to Prince’s Purple Rain. It was a clever, emotional medley that immediately reminded everyone in the room just how extraordinary her voice remains.

Pitch-perfect, powerful and seemingly effortless throughout the 90-minute performance, Marshall’s vocals have lost none of their remarkable range or emotional depth. She looked genuinely excited to be back on stage, smiling throughout the evening, frequently tossing her trademark curls aside while clearly lapping up every moment.

Early in the set she joked, “How have you been? It’s only been like 25 years,” drawing laughter from the audience while acknowledging both the extraordinary gap since her last UK appearance and the unwavering support of her fans. She reflected on her previous visit to Britain when she toured with Whitney Houston before delivering a beautifully understated performance of If I Didn’t Have You, one of the evening’s most gentle moments.

There was only one new song in the set, Can’t Lose Me, which Marshall introduced with the tongue-in-cheek remark, “We’re gonna get the new song out the way,” prompting warm applause from an audience eager to hear both fresh material and familiar favourites. Elsewhere, Sitting On Top Of The World and Everybody’s Got A Story showcased an artist who appeared completely at ease, reconnecting with songs that have stood the test of time.

A countrified arrangement of Last Exit To Eden proved a particular favourite among the many Canadian fans in attendance, while her heartfelt cover of Neil Young’s Don’t Let It Bring You Down came accompanied by one of several fascinating stories. Marshall recalled being invited to contribute to a Neil Young tribute album early in her career, offering another glimpse into the experiences that shaped her remarkable journey.

The quieter moments were equally compelling. Beautiful Goodbye, Marry Me and Believe In You highlighted Marshall’s gift for storytelling, allowing her vocals to shine against the sparse instrumentation of two acoustic guitars.

Naturally, it was the hits that generated the loudest reactions. Fall From Grace received a thunderous reception, while Birmingham had the audience singing along word for word. Yet for this reviewer, there could only be one standout performance: Dark Horse was nothing short of phenomenal. Performed almost exactly as fans remember it from the original recording, every ad-lib, every subtle vocal inflection and every soaring note landed with precision. Marshall delivered the song with such ease and control that it genuinely sent goosebumps through the room, reaffirming why she remains one of the finest vocalists of her generation.

An encore performance of the playful Sunday Morning After provided the perfect ending to an evening that felt both nostalgic and triumphant for the singers return to both music and London.

For years, Amanda Marshall’s UK fans wondered if they would ever get the chance to hear these songs performed live again. Last night at The Lower Third, we finally did – and it was worth every year of the wait.

Setlist:
Let It Rain (with I Can’t Stand the Rain (a cappella intro) and Purple Rain (outro))
Can’t Lose Me
Fall From Grace
If I Didn’t Have You
Last Exit To Eden
Don’t Let It Bring You Down
Sitting On Top Of The World
Beautiful Goodbye
Marry Me
Believe In You
Dark Horse
Everybody’s Got A Story
Birmingham

Encore:
Sunday Morning After

Check out our recent interview with Amanda Marshall HERE.