Faulkner proves his solo craft still holds full power: intricate guitar, warm vocals, and an audience-driven set in a near-intimate Liverpool Arts Club

The crowd at the Arts Club settled into the warm, close-quarters main room with the kind of expectancy that only comes when a familiar name still carries surprise. Newton Faulkner entered quietly, guitar in hand, cutting the chatter instantly.

One note in and you remember again why his live show stands out: a single guitarist capable of filling space that many full bands can’t.

That is in large part due to his self made – stompshoes: Shoes with triggers attached to both the heels and balls of his feet. The contraption enabled him to add the illusion of grander sound, like a magician with a rabbit in a hat, he pulled layers of drums from thin air.

It perfectly accompanied his solo performance, generating something that fits whole heartedly with his trademark ingenuity and ubiquity.

He balanced older material with newer songs from his latest album — those newer tracks carried a leaner tone, sharper edges, showing he’s still evolving.

For instance, the set included songs that fans unfamiliar with the newest work would recognise by his iconic playing style, while also embracing lesser-known pieces delivered with equal conviction. A hint of nostalgia yet something entirely new.

However it is crafted masterfully, a set that builds and builds, always delivering – sometimes softer but never with a lull. It all just serves to further highlight his already evident musical intelligence.

The lighting and staging were understated—no over-production. Just enough to highlight the performer and his instrument, allowing the intricacies of the performance to shine without distraction.

At moments you could hear every string reverberate, every shift of foot on pedal or board. That level of clarity, especially in a club venue, is rare and made the acoustic-rooted show feel substantial rather than small.

If you’ve seen Faulkner before, there’s comfort in the familiar: his guitar voice, his vocal tone, his stage-banter. But there’s also evidence he’s willing to shift and refine – A rare quality for an artists who originally broke through in 2007.

With the quality of playing on display tonight and the genuine connection with the crowd, the Liverpool stop felt like a reaffirmation: one man, one guitar, still capable of big impact.