Music / Reviews

Review: Roisin Murphy, Bristol Beacon – ‘Toe-tapping, head-nodding, funky classic’

By Matt Barnes  Wednesday Feb 14, 2024

This was a gig my sister and I were looking forward to ever since it was announced. It felt like that was the case for everyone at Bristol Beacon as they filtered in dressed up in every different colour sparkles you can imagine.

What better way to start tonight’s proceedings but with Crazy P, who I first discovered randomly on a playlist while running in France and made a note of their name.

Vocalist Danielle Moore takes to the stage dripping in glittery gold befitting the evening ahead. She is a bundle of rhythmic energy and style. The set is everything I expected and more with Like A Fool’s shimmering disco pop beat making it hard to stand still.

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent.

The beat throbs as Moore works the crowd from left to right coming up close and personal using her bright red fedora hat as a prop as she shimmies around the stage like she owns the place giving me a little wave in the process.

I feel like I’m at a festival when they play Heartbreaker which has everyone around me smiling and dancing their Sunday night away. Probably one of the most apt and enjoyable support acts I’ve seen.

The scene was set and the crowd were clearly ready for a fun night. Straight away Roisin Murphy struts on stage dressed as what I can only describe as a giant black shower puff with a fan blowing it back at her!

She never disappoints to amuse and look cool. Pure Pleasure Seeker sets the tone for the night with its driving hedonistic trumpet as all the glittery people smile, dance repeat.

Murphy played songs for every era; CooCool is set highlight and is taken from her latest album Hit Parade. It’s a hit with the crowd especially someone dressed in a bright orange sequined blazer who was loving more than most!

New is followed by old with the crowd-pleaser Moloko classic, Time is Now, flexing its pop muscle as a song everyone instantly knows and loves.

The outfits keep flowing there are necklaces pulled from private areas and given to the crowd, Roisin also grabs a camera to shine the spotlight on the crowd as we then see ourselves light up the giant screen at the back of the stage, as well as this she decides to put the camera into her mouth a give us all a good inspection too!

Anything goes at a Roisin Murphy show.

Incapable is a finger-clicking, toe-tapping, head-nodding, funky classic. The rhythm and the groove are constant throughout this gig, there’s no time for filler, just floor fillers.

Roisin Murphy’s set draws to a close with an encore filled with dozen red roses thrown out to the crowd and Murphy stomping around the stage to the night’s biggest sing-along Bring it Back as a black and white whirlpool lights up the screen behind her and crowd go wild.

Another great show at the Beacon.

Main photo: Matt Barnes

Read next:

Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - main-staging.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at meg@bristol247.com. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning