So after a crappy week of being completely floored with Covid a negative test means I can, once again, venture out to a gig. Newcastle’s Cluny2, downstairs from its much larger sibling, is small, cosy and perfect for tonight’s get together.
Jade Mia Broadhead opens proceedings with a set of songs that are both heartfelt and heartwarming. Some artists are fantastic at telling stories about everyday life. With just a guitar and a voice packed with feeling what Jade Mia Broahead does is deliver a set of songs that aren’t mere tales of life. You know she has really lived what she sings about . Whether this is her experiences of transphobia, or her journey coming out you know, through her song introductions, her lyrics and her music that she’s experienced some harrowing times, including self-hatred, most of us will never go through.
But there’s also happiness with a dedication to her ex-partner, now her best friend. The fact that every person watching is silent, focused only on these songs, tells you all you need to know about how powerful they are. So why ‘heartwarming’? Well, whilst life still throws some hard times her way, through these songs and anecdotes you know that Jade Mia Broadhead is finding happiness and an inner peace. And that’s inspiring.
Freya Beer is, quite simply, captivating. Musically, lyrically,visually. Her songs are often referred to as ‘gothic’ but there’s so much more to them than that simple tag. There’s pop, rock, proper post-punk vibes and, of course, some dark ‘gothy’ undertones. 2021 album ‘Beast’ was a favourite of the year, packed full of rolling drum beats and some slicing guitars and, of course Freya Beer’s unique voice delivering each song with a poetic feel. A voice that switches effortlessly between a whole range of moods.
Live these songs are even more powerful, backed as she is with a band who are tight, loud and clearly giving it all. The anthemic punch of ‘Arms Open Wide’ with Beer’s voice literally soaring around the confines of the venue. ‘Siren’, ‘Forget It’, ‘Dear Sweet Rosie’ and ‘Beauty’ veer from poweful, haunting melodies to a full on raw, post-punk onslaught of drums and guitars.
A fearless cover of Britney’s ‘Toxic’ slots in perfectly. More recent singles ‘Fantasy’, ‘Tatianna’, ‘Galore’ and ‘Write Her Off’ continue to show just how brilliant Freya Beer is at creating intricate soundscapes, all with that powerful background of irresistible, foot tapping beats, all underpinning a voice that one moment can be dark, strong and compelling and the next ethereal, graceful, tender, almost fragile. Whatever the mood of the song Beer’s performance is spellbinding. There’ll be no-one here tonight finding themselves distracted by other thoughts.
It’s all over too quickly, less than an hour. But in that short space of time Freya Beer has completely hooked us in to her world, enthralled us with music, lyrics and a stage presence that leaves you wanting more. And that’s just what a gig should do.
With ten dates remaining on this tour there’s still time to catch a show. If you can get to one then I suggest you do.
Photos/words: Steve White
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