Review: Holysseus Fly, The Exchange – ‘She performs from every part of her soul’

I first saw Holysseus Fly (aka Holly Wellington) as vocalist of Bristol jazz act Ishamel Ensemble and her stunning vocal performance had me drawn in.

Since then, Holly has gained a lot of support including BBC6 Music, Lauren Laverne gave Holly huge support live on air by recommending every track from Holly’s debut EP Birthpool for airplay.

Support tonight came from another Bristol born artist Tianna with lots arriving early to see her. Tianna doesn’t disappoint providing a calming groove with soul and a vocal that is perfect for a small venue such as The Exchange.

The set is stripped back with just acoustic guitar and a voice that needs no more accompaniment. It feels like this is the origin of the songs.

Born By The Sun is a gorgeous song about empowerment and “growing on your own without boys”. Her music is clearly highly emotive and makes me feel like I want to hear more.

Neo-soul artist Tianna drew huge crowd as she supported Holyessus Fly. photo: @daisyhopephotography

Tianna ends with cover of a cover! With Lianne La Havas’s (a favourite of mine) version of Aretha Franklin’s Say a Little Prayer and she nails it. One to watch again.

There is then a white vail pinned at the front of stage, with the stage lit light purple and blues. Holysseus Fly then comes on stage perform the first song from EP Birthpool Bloom, she is wrapped in gold with a voice veiled in soul.

Its clear straight away that Holly conveys every heartfelt emotion in each lyric, looking at times that her emotions feel like they may spill over but she manages to deliver each song note perfect still. Her performance is stunning.

As the veils drops to the floor Holly excitedly says, “there’s so many people!!” everyone cheers and Tianna is in front of me swaying and filming clearly enjoying it as much as everyone else.

Her piano accompanied voice makes me feel like I’m floating and during Marigold as she has the room completely captured and captivated.

There aren’t many acts that can cover Lady Gaga’s Telephone and Bjork’s Come To Me in the same show and pull it off.

She has dancers Brooke Tate and Bathany Kyle props and takes me from the edge of tears to smiles in moments.

Holly references her diagnosis and survival of breast cancer in her lyrics and throughout the show but is also aware of “creating an identity beyond cancer through a feminist lens” before going into a very dancey version of single Teach Me, a song which references mansplaining.

The place is now lit up everyone is here for Holly and Holly is here for them.

Holysseus Fly performs from every part of her soul. She leaves everything on stage as she delivers fragility and empowerment in equal measures.

The show is a dramatic performance where she breaks your heart puts it back together again and then makes you dance. This is just the start from Holysessus fly and I can’t wait to see where she goes form here.

Her stage craft and talent make me excited where she goes next, I feel lucky to have been at this show. Thank you, Holly.

Main photo: Giulia Spadafora

Read next:

• Review: Freddie Lewis, Crofters Rights – ‘Full of joy’
• Reviews: Julie Byrne, The Jam Jar – ‘A luscious collection of songs’
• Review: Lottery Winners, SWX – ‘Bulging with so much passion’

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