Lucy Dacus, Natalie Bergman

Lucy Dacus’ songs feel like the diaries of a skilled guitar player and writer: intimate, clever and surprising. The minimalist hum of an organ accompanies verses that describe how Dacus will kill her friend’s bullying father if necessary, and soft guitar playing accompanies lyrics of a summer at Bible camp.

Dacus, from Virginia, released a highly acclaimed album last year, which brought together the spiritual struggles of her youth and themes of sexual awakening: her crush on someone who pretends to be Marlon Brando and a fellow camper who writes bad poetry. You can hear the indie tradition in the singer-songwriter’s songs, but her music also maintains an easy dialogue with the present – the two come together just as they do in a diary.

The songs of the evening’s first performer, singer-songwriter Natalie Bergman, deal with similar themes. The US artist’s debut album, released last year, is a glorious indie-pop take on spiritual music.