Hull’s Adelphi club played host to Bridlington’s Beth Pilling and the Bootleggers on Saturday 8th March.  Capably supported by Tymisha and Rushbonds, Hull student Charlie-Anne Bowd caught the headline set and gave us her insights. 

(We’ll also be featuring a separate article solely of the gorgeous photos by Victoria Smith Photography from all three performances – do check it out when it’s live.)

It was busy. Managing to squeeze in the back of the crowd at the compact Adelphi club, just near the bar, it was mere moments before Beth Pilling and the Bootleggers came on stage. Although only just able to see the band whilst standing on tip toes, they set the tone of the night with their first song, Apple Pie, which was an unbelievably strong start to the set.

Throughout the entire performance one could hear how amazingly interlocked they were as musicians, from pulling off dynamically complex song structures, to artfully fusing elements of jazz, pop, folk and rock into such a prominent and distinctive sound of their own. Throughout this set we were taken on such a beautiful, emotionally evoking experience, hearing their latest stuff from Bootleg Vol.1 to some material personally not heard before.

As much as I adore regularly going to see live bands in Hull, I’ve lost a lot of passion for seeing the same post-punkish music over and over, as a lot of the people who are in these bands seem to have a complete lack of care when it comes to their actual music and politics, and I’ve witnessed firsthand a whole lot of bigotry when involving myself in the scene. Seeing Beth Pilling live felt so refreshing to me as the band are both ambitious and care deeply about the messages they are putting forward.  As a young woman who has been involved in the local music scene for a while, I felt so seen. We need more musicians who are musically ambitious like Beth Pilling and the Bootleggers. Their experimentation in storytelling throughout their songwriting and their ability to capture it live is so admirable.

Just before the gig, I had the opportunity to interview Beth herself, who very kindly discussed with me her band’s most recent EP, and the challenges that come with being a woman in the musical world.  Beth’s philosophy of songwriting is to write when you are truly mad about something – which I absolutely felt when hearing the band live. The latest EP furiously tackles complex relationships with substances and encapsulates the many struggles of womanhood and misogyny.

As someone who regularly attends the Adelphi Club in Hull, a historical and generally legendary venue, this band has to be one of my favourites I’ve seen perform. This gig felt so special to me and beautifully engaging.  This is exactly the kind of music I love to see, and I felt so seen hearing their music first-hand.  Wonderful musicians, their art challenges boundaries whilst also maintaining a consistent feeling that anyone can relate to within their music.

I saw so much dancing and singing during this gig, and when the band finished, I heard so many others turn to their friends and family in awe. I think Beth Pilling and the Bootleggers are for all ages of people who love music and care deeply about feminism and empowerment. I cannot wait to see this band again.

Links: Beth Pilling Music – Facebook : Bandcamp : Instagram (band) : Instagram (Beth solo)

Upcoming Gigs:

Saturday 29th March – SCARBOROUGH
Catch Beth at The Crescent Bar Lounge to open for Jack Robertson’s album launch alongside Samuel Mckie and Nils Arnold. From 7pm.

Sunday 13th April – HULL

Beth Pilling and the Bootleggers play at the Femme Queer All Dayer pt.3 at The Adelphi Club from 3pm, alongside CLT DRP + SØWT (Eindhoven),The Evil Litter, Wormfood, Pleasure Centre and more

Saturday 3rd May – FILEY
Beth will be at Filey Folk Festival: Bonhommes Bar between 8 and 9pm (exact time tbc)

Friday 6th June – BRIDLINGTON
Beth and George Garnett at Stirling Castle: acoustic set, opening for Dirty Blonde alongside Eva Kiss

Saturday 12th July – BRIDLINGTON
Beth at Queens Bar & Coffee House opening for Bird Dentist alongside Samuel McKie

Editor’s Note: A quick shout out for our guest reviewer Charlie-Anne Bowd, who is playing with their band Haldern at The New Adelphi club for a Warren Records event on 16th April, alongside The Stance and Trouser Dress; and also setting up a new music and arts zine for the Hull area – give Paragon Zine a follow on instagram.