Cumulus, Hoot Hoot, Bellingham Free Choir – Nov 20 – Anker Cafe
A wall of condensation on the windows of the crowded Anker Caf separated the audience from the outside world as the Bellingham Free Choir began the evening. This group of 12 young men and women brought a catalogue of acapella songs and a general good feeling to warm up the audience. They ended their set on a high note with a Paul Baribeau cover imploring us all to “name 10 things you want to do before you die and then go do them.”
Second act Hoot Hoot featured two members of the Free Choir who admitted to never playing outside of their living room. With short, simple and sweet folk/pop songs about summer living, giving each other scabies and making babies, these ladies made me feel as though I had stumbled into their home and was watching an impromptu set they graciously shared. It was refreshing.
Main act Cumulus floored the crowd, lightly strumming and softly singing. Simplicity was her strong suit this night, playing stripped down solo acoustic without the backing band. Slow songs about being young and in (or out) of love never seemed so beautiful. She is a true performer. Her stunning voice silenced even the baristas, who respectfully steamed milk between songs.Every time I see Cumulus live, I realize how lucky Bellingham is to claim her as our own.
