Review: Freddie Lewis, Old Market Assembly – ‘Glitz, glamour, and unconditional queer joy’

Freddie Lewis is no stranger to the Bristol live circuit but this event felt particularly special.

The ‘Freddie Lewis Cabaret’ tour – funded by the PRS Foundation’s ‘Open Fund for Music Creators’ – combined queer cabaret with drag, burlesque and live music to create a completely majestic experience not just for the audience but for Freddie himself and his incredible guest performers.

Performing at Old Market Assembly was the final date of Freddie’s tour – back on his home turf – undoubtedly making it even more of a special occasion for the indie-soul sensation.

In true cabaret style, Freddie took to the stage at regular intervals throughout, teasing his audience with excerpts from his already impressive back catalogue.

Kicking off with fan favourite Prettiest Secret and following on with an iconic cover of Charli xcx’s Club Classics, it was immediately clear that we were in for a treat of an evening.

The first guest performer was formidable drag artist Dominique Fleek, who got the crowd appropriately hyped for the evening ahead. Lip sync assassin, live vocalist and OG hot girl of the south west, a long drag career has allowed this vixen to become the queen of any and every scene.

Freddie’s other guest performers included Try Me, an alt-pop duo who create infectious, hilarious, gender and genre-bending music that had the crowd in stitches immediately. Think Scissor Sisters meets Mighty Boosh and you’re getting close.

We were also treated to not just one but two steamy burlesque performances from Cici Noir – a Bristol-based beauty who fuses her sexy style with storytelling charm and brooding dark themes.

In the first half, Cici pulled up a very lucky member from the audience to reenact her role in the video for Freddie’s recent single Sundays – getting us all pretty hot under the collar in the process. Sundays was also performed alongside the very talented James Storm on the saxophone, which was an extra little treat.

Following Cici’s solo act, Freddie took centre stage for the second half of the show. Playing fan favourites such as Bell Jar, Growing Pains and She Wouldn’t Believe as well as his latest jazz-infused single Afternoons, the set was oozing with Freddie’s authentic warmth and passion throughout.

Closing with yet another iconic moment, a megamix of Edith Piaf’s Padam Padam into Kylie Minogue’s infectious version, the dance floor was overflowing with happiness and sweaty bodies.

Of course, an encore was inevitable, with Freddie coming out one final time alongside his band and James Storm for an extra special extended version of Prettiest Secret. You could feel the unconditional love in the room, taking hold of every audience member in the best way possible.

The whole evening was a wonderful reminder of how eccentrically beautiful Bristol can be. If you were unfortunate enough to miss this one, keep your eyes and ears peeled for whatever Freddie and his friends get up to next, you will not be disappointed. Long may the queerness of cabaret continue!

All images: Renata Felia

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