I’m not saying my first week back at work after being laid up with COVID was shite but, well, no maybe that’s exactly what I’m saying. It was stressful, unsatisfying and well, just a bit pish. (Disclaimer: These are my opinions and just a result of how I was feeling and the general shitness of everything just now, these are not a reflection of my employers in any way shape or form – think that should do it – I do actually enjoy my job…)
Anyway, back to the case in point. It’s Friday and I have a weeks annual leave. To decorate. Well that’s the plan. But before that begins. Live music! COVID already out paid to one of my planned gigs, so thankfully I was freed from isolation in time for this one.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing Katherine Aly live for some time. I’ve loved all her singles to date, and the prospect of seeing her perform these with a full band was something I was relishing.
I rocked up to The Hug and Pint, got myself a pint of Heverlee (I’m open to sponsorship if you’re interested) enjoyed the smell of the food cooking (my sense of smell has returned) and headed downstairs.
I’d missed the start of Ross Wilcock but enjoyed the remainder of his set of performance poetry and his self deprecating humour.
Before Katherine’s performance it was the turn of “best band in the world” King Wine. New to me and at first it was a bit of a WTF moment. The duo, dressed head to toe in orange, performed their unique electro pop to a soundtrack played entirely through a Gameboy, including an astonishing cover of Backstreets Back. Despite my initial slack jawed shock, I thoroughly enjoyed every barmy second of their set.
Finally it was the turn of headliner Katherine Aly. I first came across her music after she had played as support to The Filthy Tongues as a solo artist. Since then I have followed her career closely and have loved all of her singles. Each one striking a chord with me and cementing my love of her hypnotic dreamy electro pop.
Katherine has now built a band around her and the transformation is quite mesmerising. Obviously her voice has the same alluring hypnotic charm, but the added textures and depth that the full band brings transforms her songs giving them new dimensions and power. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the singles in their original form, but this live transformation blew me away. Singles like Misty Me and her commentary on mental health, Glow and Ignite were outstanding when performed live. And of course there is recent single Pariah which, in my opinion is her strongest single to date. This powerful comment on discrimination took on a life of its own and was just one highlight of an tremendous set. And if I thought Pariah was powerful, some of the new songs she played show just what is still to come from this extraordinary talent.
If I was disappointed in one thing tonight, it was the number of people who turned out to watch her, I know there were other draws across the city, including the wonderful Cloth at King Tuts, but in a day that saw the entire music industry fawning over new albums by Coldplay and Adele, I sometimes think people should look a little closer to home and support their local talent. I’m not dismissing the likes of Adele, she is obviously talented and Coldplay have a knack for a catchy single, but people, look a bit further. You might just be missing out on your new favourite band or singer.
All being well, I’ll be having a chat with the talented Ms Aly soon and you’ll be able to read all about it on this modest little blog.