Secret Meeting score: 81

by Darren Butler

The ‘oldwitchinajumpsuit’ as she calls herself was on excellent form tonight  at Manchester’s best new venue, Yes, and left the small, but respectful crowd enraptured by her performance and the joyously funny between song banter.

First, support came from promising solo performer, SHHE, who informed us that Kathryn Joseph hadn’t arrived yet from appearing on 6Music, and she had some secrets to tell us about being on tour with her. SHHE’s sparse and intriguing songs were very well received and we got to hear a few stories even after Joseph arrived in the room.

When Joseph, herself, appeared she was resplendent in a pink jump suit – an unplanned match with YES’s pink stage! She first took us on a spell binding journey through the album From When I Wake The Want Is – each song seeming more perfect than the last as her voice, musicianship and the sound in the room, all seemed to gradually click into place.

She then played a number of older songs. Again, the room lay silent – charged throughout as she opened her soul, creating incredible strength and power even in the quietest moments. Between songs, the laughter flowed as the oh-so-sweary Joseph told us how much she ‘fucking loved’ us as we all wiped away another tear.

There was a lovely appreciative feeling in the room and a genuine warmth between crowd and artist. Joseph has a natural and mesmerising style that makes you yearn for a chance to see her again, and wonder why it took so long for this talent to emerge? The songs have a spell binding simplicity and I for one can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Kathryn recently took part in our Sound & Vision feature- check it out here.

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