Tag Archives: review

Sassyhiya, NCI Centre, Cambridge, 29 November 2025

Leave a reply

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

Leave a reply

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/

Vic Allen, Voodoo Daddy’s Show Room, Norwich, 2 November 2025

Leave a reply

Beth Keeping was first on stage at this atmospheric underground venue. Her songs are full of story and imagination, from her ambivalent feelings for the city of ‘new york’, the rush of ‘Plane Tickets’ and the poignant family memory of ‘known you better’. An accomplished guitarist and keyboard player, she was later to reappear on stage with Vic.

Vic Allen also threads confessional lyrics through her country-pop songs, to great effect in the classy opener ‘Enough’. Following on with the evocative ‘Mexico’ and ‘Barcelona’ and the melodic ballad ‘Confetti’ showcases her range of original compositions. She is a good communicator, explaining the stories behind the songs. A cover of ‘Dakota’ by Stereophonics and a sensitive version of Beth’s ‘Two Seats Down’ fitted neatly into the set. Many of the tracks feature on Vic’s album ‘Some Place I’d Rather Be‘, including the autobiographical ‘Suitcase’ and the pounding country-rock of ‘Drive-Thru’ bringing the set to a spectacular close.

https://www.vicallenmusic.com/

https://www.bethkeeping.com/

Suzanne Vega, Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 27 October 2025

Leave a reply

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

Chloe Foy, St Pancras Old Church, London, 16 October 2025

Leave a reply

The timeless surroundings and balanced sound quality of this historic venue were perfect for the thoughtful songs on show tonight. Opening the evening Jack Patchett played his gentle acoustic compositions, sung with calm sincerity to an attractive guitar and keyboard accompaniment.

‘Where Shall We Begin’ and ‘Complete Fool’ are the title tracks to the first two albums from Chloe Foy and they resonated around the church at the start of her set; gorgeous and atmospheric. With a changing line-up of backing musicians there were many highlights, especially the stunning duet with Eli Carvajal ‘What I’d Give’ and the heartbreaking piano ballad ‘Empires of Dust’.

‘Spare’ is a lovely track, the hypnotic melody completely driven by Chloe’s clear and expressive voice as was the surprise encore of an a capella version of ‘Squareface’, performed wearing the black crown against the orange sun of the album artwork and a fitting end to this excellent show.

http://www.chloefoy.com

https://jackpatchett.bandcamp.com/music

https://elicarvajal.com/

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

Leave a reply

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

Chloe Foy, David’s Bookshop, Letchworth, 11 June 2025

Leave a reply

Singer/guitarist Chloe Foy performed several tracks from her newly released second album in the relaxed setting of David’s books and records. Opening with the title track ‘Complete Fool’ the gentle acoustic guitar waltz and her emotive voice held the audience spellbound.

Many of her songs describe the end of a relationship; harrowing heartfelt and multi-layered. Longer songs ‘Elephant In The Room’ and ‘I Tried So Hard To Disappear’ subtly pulled the listener in while the languid ‘Blinkers’ made a more direct point (as the noisier recorded version certainly does!). Best of all was ‘Empires of Dust’, a perfect combination of melody, lyric and tone…

https://www.chloefoy.com/

Heaven 17, Junction J1, Cambridge, 22 May 2025

Leave a reply

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

Leave a reply

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

Leave a reply

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