We’re having something of an indie-pop week over at Folk and Tumble with new releases from Guy Garvey and Basia Bulat blasting out of the stereo and everyone getting in the mood for a Halloween party weekend. What better way to kick that weekend off than with a pint of Guinness and a spot by one of the best bars in Belfast to witness the return of Lucy Rose.
It’s been a little over five months since the English songwriter brought her show to the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival but since then she’s released ‘Work It Out’, honed those songs with the band, sold some merch desk tea and picked up some very talented friends in Billie Marten and Jake Isaac.
Both are superb supports, Billie Marten’s almost whispered delicate delivery hushing the growing crowd, Jake Isaac pumping out big beats and soulful vocals and a surprise foray into the crowd for an acoustic number. Impressed. Warmed up. We’re ready for the main act and have new music to enjoy and recommend to all who’ll listen. Support act job done.
© 2015 Trish Plant
Lucy Rose takes the stage a little before ten with a triplet of tracks from the latest record. ‘Like An Arrow’ breezes in with a folksy strum but when the band kick it, it’s bombastic pop. Reminiscent of Slow Club or Rose’s old recording pals in Bombay Bicycle Club, it’s wall of sound stuff. ‘For You’ is all longing vocals and heartbeat drums, a real change in pace and style from 2012’s ‘Like I Used To’.
You don’t always get to experience the often unwitting connection that songwriters can have on our lives. Everyone’s been touched in some way by some song and tonight a couple have revealed that they’ve a special connection to ‘Shiver’ and the charming Miss Rose shares their story and her song with us all.
There’s time given to older favourites like ‘Middle Of The Bed’ and ‘Bikes’ but tonight’s all about showcasing the new record and while every song sounds like a potential hit, the likes of ‘Till The End’ and the slow burning title track stand out. Girl with a guitar turning pop princess is the stuff of Taylor Swift dreams but still quite possibly a Lucy Rose reality.
‘Work It Out’