Emerging artists are, as most of us, having a hard time trying to get the word out there on their new music. Besides being able to spread their music, the cost of living crisis and the cost of being a musician are as high as anything. Luckily, there are some organisations giving artists the handles they need to get further within their musical careers.
Sofar Sounds is one of those organisations, Sofar Sounds offers intimate concerts in unique spaces, and last Tuesday the team behind Sofar Sounds Newcastle brought three artists to the Live Theatre on the quayside. Two of those artists are based in Dunfermline, and they highlighted the talent that comes from Edinburgh’s better little brother!
Cumbrian singer songwriter and pop star in wording Eliza Faye opened last night’s Sofar Sounds with a stunning set of beautiful pop ballads. With a vocal range hardly ever matched she got her audience to listen with full attention and in awe. Eliza Faye sounds like an angel and sings with her heart on her sleeve about topics important to her, single ‘Night Terrors’ gave us actual goosebumps, and we can never get ‘Emma’ out of our heads. Lucky for us, ‘Emma’ has been recorded and will soon be out as a single!
Dunfermline-based band Jupiter Strange are ok next, yet not in their regular form. Singer Niamh and guitarist Alfie perform an acoustic set as a duo and mesmerise with stunning vocal harmonies and 60’s-inspired compositions. An outstanding aspect of the two is their way of shifting from a song written by Niamh, to one written by Alfie, to one written by the two of them together… And back! Do we dare say they seem to be the Lennon and McCartney of their time? Yes, yes we do. They certainly know how to captivate an audience and bring a refreshing and authentic sound!
As if it couldn’t get any better, Moonlight Zoo pulled out all the stuff with incredible vocals and a soft, soothing sound driven by two guitars and a cajon. The band gets joined by Jupiter Strange-singer Niamh for a cover after which they continue performing some of their own and a Mathilda-cover! The band gets the crowd moving and clapping along and once they announce the end of their set, a disappointed sigh fills the room. All three acts of this evening’s Sofar Sounds have undoubtedly gained a group of new fans and followers, with their passionate sounds and incredibly talented songwriting. Jupiter Strange will next return to Newcastle on the 4th of November to support Oddo’s Gaze!
