Music / Reviews
Review: Fenne Lily, Strange Brew – ‘A heartbreakingly good storyteller’
I was excited for my first full Fenne Lily show, perhaps a little odd as a fan of her work since the release of debut album On Hold way back in 2018.
Strange Brew is filled with smoke as I arrive – possibly too much as the smoke alarm was set off! – with the giant disco ball glistening above.
It’s the only venue that changes with every visit; today’s artwork presents green-lit astro-turf demon children staring back at the crowd. Eery but brilliant.
is needed now More than ever
Samo Songs was hand-picked by Lily to provide support at Strange Brew
Support act Samo Songs immediately shepherds a quiet crowd forward to get to know him better. I’m struck by how he shifts between genres effortlessly, rapping energetically like a demon then switching to more mellow jazz numbers.
He is clearly surrounded by gifted musicians, one of whom – Credo – is introduced by the musician as, “Someone I am very lucky to call my best friend.” And what a talent. The singer-guitarist proceeded to wow the crowd as he harmonized with his guitar, hitting one glorious, seemingly impossible high note.
Talent, stage presence and passion all delivered with introspective soul and purpose.
Credo offered up solid guitar and vocal backing for Samo Songs
As they left the stage two fans excitedly commented, “That’s what live music is all about.”
A brief break, the room is now full and it’s time for Fenne Lily. She opens with Pick, a breezy upbeat number with a crisp, funky bass line.
She admits to having thought nobody would turn up tonight and feeling grateful for us being there, giving a glimpse into her pre-show anxiety, and her nerves at having family in the crowd.
Lily’s voice is immensely soothing. She is a heartbreakingly good storyteller, with a clear passion in her delivery. She’s wrapped up in the moment and so am I.
Lily is a Bristol artist that has made the move Stateside
The extra emotion in her delivery could also be because she is back in the city where she wrote the songs after a recent move to America. I, Nietzsche is one such song written in a mouldy flat on Chandos Road in Redland, about – she says – the “worst boyfriend ever.”
In between songs Lily is full of smiles and humour. But when it comes to her performance, she is in a zone of intense emotion.
Birthday hits so deeply: another heartfelt heartbreak song that gives me goosebumps. Fenne had the room firmly in her pocket as they stood quiet and in awe.
Her lyrics hit deep, bypassing everything and heading straight to my soul within split seconds of each song I know and love starting.
The room is full of love for Fenne as she pre-empts the encore by saying she’s not a fan of them, but likes the attention.
She offers it up to the crowd to choose her set closer, and they eventually settle on On Hold which she performs solo. The whole show is a joy that we don’t want to end.
“Fenne was so good,” said my date for the evening, that she “forgot I was there.” High praise indeed.
All photos: Lydia Cashmore
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