Union Chapel

Sarah Darling: Winning the hearts and souls of UK Country fans

Photo: Andy Teo

Photo: Andy Teo

Written by Sahar Summer Bayer

Tonight its Nashville meets London as Sarah Darling makes a sweet entrance, accompanied by her sweet vocals. A magical evening that ends in a starry night both in the Chapel and above as the stars glisten.

Performing at the Union Chapel ,an undoubtedly fitting venue ,Darling manages to win our hearts and souls while also heightening sentiments of Christmas cheer and togetherness during this holiday season. Sarah performed an array of her old and new songs as well as classic and timely Christmas songs to celebrate the winter season.Having recently released her highly anticipated 5th studio album with with pop and folk undertones ,‘Wonderland’, the show began with Call Me. Her promising album has achieved much acclaim rising to the UK Country charts to reach number 1, alongside two British Country Music Award nominations for ‘International Touring Artist of the Year’ and ‘International Album’. This reinforces Darling’s position as a global country star. Her album would therefore make a lovely addition to someone’s stocking!

She had several guests throughout the evening such as Jamie Lawson who did a goosebump-worthy rendition of Cohen’s Hallelujah. This was followed by a performance by The Wandering Hearts, enriched in gorgeous harmony, as she introduces them as her 'Americana Dream'. From the band, Lizzie and Catherine joined Sarah for a take on Joni Mitchell’s River and The Dixie Chicks version of Landslide. The trio clearly have great stage presence and chemistry so it would be great to see them continue to perform and write together.

Darling’s songs are soaked with vivid imagery and have the ability to evoke powerful and heart-wrenching emotions, as Darling mentions “from heartbreak to loss” and reassuring that “feelings are much like waves and they go if they want to.” The chapel evidently added an ethereal and magical flair. Darling ended her show with London Fog before serenading us into a trance with an acapella of Silent Night. She was met with deserving applause and a standing ovation. Understandably so, as her music and performances are so elegant and have a lullaby quality - so effortless and dreamy, wonderfully encapsulating the spirit of Christmas. A Winter Wonderland indeed.

Sarah Darling announces new headline London show

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Having toured the UK with her signature “Night in Nashville” shows, opened for the chart topping Ward Thomas and performed at the C2C: Country to Country festival (2016 & 2017) Sarah Darling announces her biggest UK headline show to date. The BCMA Awards ‘International Touring Artist of the Year’ nominee will be performing songs from her three studio albums – including the acclaimed 2017 release ‘Dream Country’ – and previewing songs from her forthcoming 2018 album.

Looking forward to the concert Sarah says “I am so excited to return to the UK for a release party of sorts!  My newest single is scheduled to release on March 2nd, and I cannot wait to celebrate with my UK fans.” 

To close an incredible 2017, Sarah will reunite with Ward Thomas at G Live, Guildford on December 6th and, on December 8th, will play a special festive concert at St Pancras Old Church, London to mark the release of her Christmas album ‘Winter Wonderland’.

“The UK is my second home, so it will be very special to share a mix of old favourites, some quintessential Christmas songs from my Winter Wonderland album, as well as a couple of not-yet-released tracks.” 

For one of the brightest new stars in the country music scene, the sky really is the limit.

Tickets go on sale Friday 17 November at 10am - sarahdarling.com for more info.