Luvcat at Brudenell Club, Leeds Review

Only the best have stories to tell, and Luvcat is fast becoming one of those greats. Her show at Brudenell Club is a phenomenal example of her strengths as a songwriter, not just on the upcoming Vicious Delicious but on EPs from her days as Sophie Morgan. There is a wholly better experience at play in this ten-track setlist from Luvcat, who touches on the very best moments of her upcoming album. Really, all a listener can do is search for new ways to connect with themselves on some deeper level through music. Sifting through Jeff Buckley and Joni Mitchell songs while pushing back against a hangover is what we turn to, either to connect with ourselves or disconnect from others. Luvcat is not a flavour-of-the-month artist, as is the case for many. Her show at the Brudenell Club and Vicious Delicious debut has a permanence that few performers can say they have. Long may that continue.  

Long it shall, by the sounds of Luvcat in Leeds’ best venue, where it becomes clear these songs are set to take on a whole new form when performed across the globe. From the constraints of distant relationships being enough to drive someone to murder on He’s My Man to the honest intimacy of Blushing, Luvcat has clearly got what it takes. Openness is the biggest part of all this. To sing songs of principle and interest is a tough challenge for any performer, but the connection Luvcat has to these tracks and an audience who find themselves in the likes of Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel and Matador, is powerful to witness. Her set is a short and sharp introduction for those in the audience who may not know what to expect of Luvcat beyond the strong singles releases.  

Luvcat has not turned her back on those acoustic roots but has amplified them with the help of a broader, alternative sound. You can hear the influence in her work and what it affects, but the Lipstick songwriter keeps her style unique. Stories from the Brasserie Zédel near Soho, London, feel lived-in and are adapted to the stage brilliantly. That’s the clear advantage Luvcat has over many of her contemporaries, a fundamental spirit and link to the experiences in her past. Amplifying those on stage is a great way of coming to terms with or adapting to the feelings still lingering on. How you deal with those and reflect on them is all part of the charm for Luvcat’s work, and it shines through during her Brudenell Club show. It’s a clear example of a promising songwriter with plenty examples of quality. 

More to come with the upcoming Vicious Delicious, too, which is given a tremendous showing at the historic working man’s club. Never a dull day at the venue and this is no exception. It’s an incredible performance where Luvcat can highlight the nuance of her work, the little flickers from the studio album which shine through on stage are clear for those who are lucky enough to have heard it. A strong showcase of a great album. You couldn’t ask for more of an album launch party. It’s a great way for those in attendance to introduce themselves to the deeper cuts of Luvcat’s discography, but given the atmosphere of the crowd last night, it’s clear these are already dedicated fans. There are more of them out there, too, and rightly so given the qualities of Vicious Delicious. That much is shared on stage, an impressive moment in a career no doubt ready to sail through on the thrills of a debut album.