Tag Archives: Cambridge

Sassyhiya, NCI Centre, Cambridge, 29 November 2025

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First on were felicity perpetua, with effects-drenched guitar and vocals the duo were augmented by extra bass. Their style varied from full-on wall of sound to ethereal and experimental but always hypnotic. Celebrating ten years since their album ‘Healing Centre’ was released, Cambridge institution Model Village delivered an energetic set of their more uptempo tracks, laced with acerbic lyrics and instrumental twists.

Sassyhiya play compact sharp pop, mostly drawn from their excellent debut album. The quartet extract the lyrical goodness and spiky tunes from opener ‘Boat Called Predator’ and the surprises of ‘Puppet Museum’. There were new songs, as well as highlights like ‘I Had A Thought’ and the delicious ode to ‘Kristen Stewart’. The idiosyncrasies of their cat ‘Crayon Potato’ is a memorable singalong with a dexterous lyric and full-on rocker ‘You Can Give It (But You Can’t Take It)’ brought the show to a raucous end.

https://sassyhiya.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.facebook.com/modelvillagers/

https://nosoapworld.bandcamp.com/album/tape

Indiepop All-dayer, Blue Moon, Cambridge,15 November 2025

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Five new songs and two extra musicians gave Cambridge favourites Mammoth Penguins a flying start to the sold out all-dayer, with a sparkling high powered set. In contrast Huia Fun Club were all about quieter introspection as were And Yet with gentle harmonies. London quartet Goalies featured a sparse crystalline sound and played many strong songs from their 2025 EP ‘Meant To Be’. There was a hypnotic electronic feel to duo Mumble Tide who brought the first half of the day to a stylish end.

Nathy SG kicked off the evening with their rocking heartfelt tracks, later for some members to reconfigure the line-up into the equally punchy bright sound of Fortitude Valley. In between there was the highly energetic and show-stealing performance by Twat Union, their strong messages delivered with humour and verve, especially on the brilliantly catchy ‘Singer Of The Band’.

As a duo the magnificent Just Joans played an acoustic set to end a fine day of music. From nostalgic new single ‘Here Come The Rugby Boys’ to the wistful wisdom of ‘Bellshill Station’ all human life is there in the lyrics, delivered with deadpan beauty to a devoted audience.

https://www.facebook.com/MammothPenguins/

https://huiafunclub.bandcamp.com/

https://goalies.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mumbletide/

https://nathysg.bandcamp.com/

https://twatunion.co.uk/

https://fortitudevalley.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/thejustjoans/

Suzanne Vega, Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 27 October 2025

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A sold-out Cambridge Corn Exchange welcomed Suzanne Vega to the venue for the fourth time in her celebrated career. Opening the show was Katherine Priddy, with a short set of her thoughtful original songs. ‘A Boat on the River’ is a gorgeous melodic meditation then ‘Eurydice’ has a more sinister and dreamlike atmosphere. New single ‘Matches’ recalled the persecutions of women in medieval times while the final two songs had more personal stories attached. It was a fine performance from an upcoming indie-folk talent.

Suzanne Vega draws on a rich catalogue and has the relaxed performing style that brings the tales to life. Starting with ‘Marlene on The Wall’, complete with black top hat Suzanne’s voice is in fine form. She was accompanied for this show by her own acoustic guitar and additional electric guitar and occasional cello to give texture to her quite varied song styles.

Many familiar tracks featured as well as material from her acclaimed new collection ‘Flying with Angels‘, including the superb Dylan tribute ‘Chambermaid’. Finishing the main set with the timeless ‘Luka’ and ‘Tom’s Diner’ we were then treated to an encore including ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ and the beautiful ‘Galway’ ending the show on a high.

https://www.suzannevega.com/

http://www.katherinepriddy.co.uk

Katherine Priddy, Cherry Hinton Hall Grounds, Cambridge, 2 August 2025

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The world famous Cambridge Folk Festival is being rested this year, replaced by a series of alternative events such as a free day of music in the picturesque grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall. Katherine Priddy brought her likeable personality and dreamlike folk songs to the large crowd on this warm afternoon, accompanied by additional guitar and vocals from George Boomsma.

With two albums to draw from this compact set had a haunting intensity, as shown in the first two songs ‘Does She Hold You Like I Did’ and ‘Eurydice’. The pure sound and gentle waltz of ‘A Boat on the River’ is a gorgeous song, with melody and lyrics combining perfectly, for me one of the highlights of the afternoon. The irresistible tempo of ‘Letters from a Travelling Man’ raised the pace before the last song ‘Ready To Go’ showcased the duo’s harmonies and acted as a fitting finale to an excellent performance.

http://www.katherinepriddy.co.uk

http://www.georgeboomsma.com

Heaven 17, Junction J1, Cambridge, 22 May 2025

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Opening with the powerful punch of ‘Crushed by the Wheels of Industry’, Heaven 17 showed that their back catalogue of electropop still resonates lyrically and musically. The original trio is now down to keyboard player Martyn Ware and vocalist Glenn Gregory, performing with extra keyboards and two backing singers tonight.

The show motored along at frenetic pace; ‘(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang’ and ‘We Live So Fast’ countered by the slower ‘Come Live With Me’ and the majestic ‘Let Me Go’. With plenty of crowd connection and onstage banter it was a great concert atmosphere. The frequently played ‘Temptation’ was a grand finale to the densely packed main set, but to many the use of the original synthesiser that was featured in the recording of ‘Being Boiled’ was a special gem of the evening…

https://www.heaven17.com/

Andy Bell, Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 19 May 2025

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Andy Bell completed the initial UK leg of his solo tour with an electrifying set featuring material from his new solo album ‘Ten Crowns’ as well as many Erasure hits from their extensive back catalogue. First on stage was the golden voice of David McAlmont accompanied by collaborator Hifi Sean, with a good combination of electropop, atmospheric beats and emotive vocals.

Opening with ‘Breaking Thru the Interstellar’, Andy Bell immediately showed that he continues to strongly connect with his appreciative audience. The backing band with live drummer added extra heft to the Erasure songs, especially to a pulsing, strident version of ‘Drama!’, ‘Chains of Love’ and one of their best, ‘Love to Hate You’. They also contributed their own empathetic version of ‘Breathe’.

‘Always’ and ‘Dance for Mercy’ were more highlights as was new track ‘Heart’s a Liar’; the recorded version is performed with the legendary Debbie Harry and tonight backing singer Hailey Steele stylishly re-created the bittersweet exchanges of this fine song.

With the final encore of ‘A Little Respect’, this was a great show…

The Magpies, Stapleford Granary, Cambridge, 3 May 2025

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Folk trio The Magpies played to a sold-out audience in a spectacularly converted building that is relaxing visually and perfect acoustically.

Opening with the busy ‘Now And Then’, the trio immediately pulled the listeners into their musical world; the line-up of violin, banjo and guitar along with various vocal combinations bringing the stories and emotions in the songs to shimmering life.

Most of the tracks were drawn from their last album, a follow up to their debut ‘Tidings’ (see review below). There is also an EP due soon. The set is balanced between their own compositions, with rich ballads like the title song ‘Undertow’ and ‘Galileo’ alongside sprightly instrumentals ‘Solstice’ and ‘Colin’s Set’.

The featured traditional tunes are highlights too, especially the singalong of ‘Fall On My Knees’ and the gorgeous ‘Hares On The Mountain’, the beauty of this performance seeming to make time stand still in the auditorium.

A cover of ‘Sweet Dreams(Are Made Of This)’ was a lively finale to a superb show.

https://www.themagpiesmusic.com/

The Magpies : Tidings, LP released June 2020

Morganway, Relevant Records, Cambridge, 31 January 2025

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Morganway celebrated the release of their third studio album with some in-store preview shows, kicking off in the hallowed basement of Cambridge vinyl shop and cafe, Relevant Records.

The band created a mellow, engaging sound with the space created by the acoustic line-up allowing each instrument to shine through. Starting with the punchy ‘Devil’s Canyon’ the six-piece showcased a variety of styles, from the smooth country-rock of ‘Boy On The Train’, the heartfelt ‘Don’t Turn The Lights On Yet’ to the environmental call to action of the album title track ‘Kill The Silence’ and the gentle anthem ‘We Sing’. The strong lead vocals of SJ Mortimer, subtle band harmonies and soaring violin are a key part of the sound but the individual contributions of all the members combined make this band a considerable force.

https://www.morganway.co.uk/

https://www.relevantrecordcafe.co.uk/

Indiepop All-Dayer, Blue Moon, Cambridge, 16 November 2024

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Cambridge band Model Village opened the show, pulling in a decent crowd for the early afternoon start. The Village never disappoint; today their set was sharp and unpredictable with an emphasis on their uptempo songs. As well as manning the sound desk, Jethro Steel is a hyper-talented musician and performed a solo set under the name Deer/Dear, well received by the audience. One of the best surprises of the day for me; Trust Fund were a folk duo who created a gentle acoustic oasis in the afternoon, an ambience then picked up by the mellow pop of Beckon, featuring the fine voice and guitar of Faith Taylor. Indie supergroup Swansea Sound brought their wry comment and preoccupations to the stage accompanied by punchy instrumental backing.

After the break, Mumbles delivered a set of informal structures and haphazard brilliance; this Manchester based rocky trio were in a class of their own. Knitting Circle played sparse, spiky pop with plenty of social comment and protest including the timely ‘Dance for Peace’. Local legends Mammoth Penguins were augmented by a keyboard/percussionist and played some lesser known tracks from their substantial back catalogue, also featuring an unexpected cover of ‘River Deep-Mountain High’.

It has taken a while for headliners Fightmilk to appear in Cambridge, they are a powerhouse punk/rock quartet tempered by the vocal drive and indomitable personality of singer Lily. With new album ‘No Souvenirs’ released the previous day, they are a band that delivered a stunning finale to a brilliant day, featuring one of the strongest line-ups I have seen for a while.

https://www.facebook.com/modelvillagers

https://trustfund.bandcamp.com/

https://thebandbeckon.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/swanseasound/

https://mumblesmuzak.bandcamp.com/

https://knittingcircle.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MammothPenguins/

https://www.facebook.com/fightmilkisaband/

Altered Images, Junction J1, Cambridge, 28 October 2024

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Vanity Fairy warmed up the audience with a set of ballads and uptempo tracks, including her catchy new single ‘Top of the Pops’, all echoing the heyday of disco in the late 70s and after.

After two hit jangly indiepop albums in the 80s Altered Images developed their recorded sound into the glossy sheen and lusher instrumentation of long-player ‘Bite’, performed in its entirety as the first half of this set. Singer Clare Grogan was on fine form, with plenty of reminiscence and chat with the crowd as the performance showed the nuances and strong song writing of the collection, including the big hit ‘Don’t Talk to Me About Love’ and ending with the dreampop of ‘Thinking About You’

After a short break the band returned with a hits set featuring signature track ‘I Could Be Happy’, the more recent ‘Mascara Streakz’ and the towering edgy brilliance of ‘Dead Pop Stars’. The finale to this excellent show was of course the chartbusting ‘Happy Birthday’, a song destined to be played forever…

http://www.alteredimagesband.com/

https://vanityfairy.bandcamp.com/