As I hurriedly arrive
at The Brudenell Social Club for tonight’s gig, the venue front
usually busy with punters getting in their last cigarettes before the
show starts is empty, and the car park is bursting to capacity with
cars in every nook and cranny. This can only mean one thing, Lucy Rose has
started, oh and it’s clearly going to be very busy.
As I dash through the
doors Lucy Rose and her band have just started and as I look across a
sea of bobbing heads I hark back to my initial thoughts when asked to
review this gig ‘Lucy Rose at The Brudenell? Really?’ because
considering how busy it is and Lucy Rose’s stature within the music
world I imagine she could have filled one of the bigger University
venues in town without a problem. But that’s the beauty of The Brudenell Social Club, no matter what the size of the artist, it
always seems to fit and tonight is no different. It’s clear to see
she has a fondness for Leeds and the venue as she chats away to the
crowd between songs like it’s just a couple of mates getting
together over a coffee. This makes you want to like her even more.
The fact that the band are tight and the music is great is one thing,
but her open personality and chatty nature makes you understand she’s
in the right place with the character of the venue being a reflection
of herself and her music. This is no more apparent than when she
jokes about farts and explains in-depth her horror of making the
video for new single Our Eyes. Everyone’s laughing and it’s all
part of the joy of her set.
Anyway, I digress
because aside from all of the above people are here to see Lucy Rose sing and play and she doesn't disappoint. The main attraction is
her beautifully wispy, ethereal like voice as she chops and changes
between more acoustic based then electric songs. This must be
something new for Lucy as she announces to her own amazement that
she’s standing up, with ‘no stool!’ suggesting that in years
gone by sets have been put together with much more emphasis on the
acoustic side of things, but you can’t tell, and the truly great
thing about the band tonight is considering that I imagine most of
her songs start out acoustically the bands accompaniment it
tastefully done. The rhythm section gives the shuffle her songs need
while the additional guitars and keys add more texture, rather than
being an overbearing presence. What’s also great are the little
improv-freak-out-jams between songs, hazy and blurred they resemble a
shoegaze-esque quality and with the nature of Lucy’s vocals you can
almost imagine a Cocteau Twins inspired album in the future if she
wanted a dramatic turn in her style.
All her hits are there
amongst the new songs that she’s embedding into the collective
psyche ahead of the new albums release. Lines, Middle of The Bed,
Shiver all get good receptions with the biggest cheer saved for
Bikes. Our Eyes is the most memorable of the new songs not only
because of its mention about the video but also its vibrant
shimmering beats and pop sensibilities mean it’s sure to be a hit.
The night ends with an
encore and finale of personal favourite Red Face, a fitting end to a
great gig where anyone who wasn't won over at the beginning on the
night, surely are now.
Words and photos - Robin Chamberlain
Lucy Rose Official