Four fine acts from the region gathered at Queens Bar and Coffee House in April for a warmly welcoming evening of music.
Em and Charlie started the evening early (prior to another gig for this popular duo!). A sprinkling of covers varying from Foo Fighters to Olivia Dean and Radiohead, with a selection of their originals, such as What’s It Like, More Than I and an as yet unnamed, new offering. Delicate fingerpicking and some whispery vocals sit side by side with more rousing tones, and a special mention for the wonderfully undulating cover of The Beautiful South’s I’ll Sail This Ship Alone.
Tadhg mixed acoustic and electric guitar, merging his made-for-grunge tones with occasionally falsetto-high vocals, paired with fuzzy guitar sounds for a very nineties Seattle style sound. His original offerings include Dandelion, Gyroclops and The 12th of February at 14.20; a song about diabetes from this student hoping to train for a medical career is surprisingly upbeat; To Preach to a Mockingbird delivers lyrics on the matter of meeting other people’s expectations; and and Rhubard Party has a fun, pop punk vibe.
Fin Hines mixes charm-laden banter and easy-going attitude with expressive, characterful vocals and evocative lyrics. His covers (such as Welcome to Eden by Samia, and songs by Simon & Garfunkel and Neutral Milk Hotel) are sublime, but his originals are magnificent, and if Stowaways isn’t swirling round your head after a rendition, then frankly there’s something amiss with your senses. Fin, frontman of Don’t Fret the Poet, also hosts the Acoustic Night every Wednesday at Queens, so you have no real excuse to not become more familiar with his oeuvre, either.
Bea Harris and Charlie Holdsworth bring emotive, darkly enticing vocals and percussive guitar to the evening’s final chapter. Artists covered here include Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton’s version of I Will Always Love You, The Animals and Bob Dylan. The originals range from sweet to sassy and a little drama in between, whether it’s Won’t Save You This Time, Through My Own Eyes (a song about self-loathing), Wash Myself Clean or Entice Me. All in all, a compelling performance.
A mesmerising evening of live music showcasing a range of emerging singer-songwriters.
