Showing posts with label Emily Breeze. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emily Breeze. Show all posts

Friday, 5 September 2025

Bag It Up, I'll Take It

Bandcamp Friday beckons and my shopping bag demands to be fed yet again.

Here are a dozen hors d'oeuvres to whet your appetite. What else will I bring home?

1) Brand New Me (Brand New Me EP): Saint Etienne x Confidence Man
2) Better (All That Is Over): SPRINTS
3) Housin' (Planet Roll): Wagon Christ
4) Greasy Off The Racing Line (Tremor)Daniel Avery ft. Alison Mosshart
5) Weeping Roses (Lomond Campbell Remix) (Subconsciousology): Dot Allison
6) Tales Of Freedom (Cosmikuro Remix) (Tales Of Freedom EP): Jay-Son
7) Thinkin' Bout U (Mercury) (Thinkin' Bout U EP): Psychederek
8) A Moment Longer (Songs For Nina & Johanna): James Yorkston ft. Nina Persson
9) Militants (Atomized Dub) (Imploded Versions EP): The Bug vs Ghost Dubs
10) Under the Bed (Buddhist Hipsters): The Orb
11) Porcupine (Madder! EP): Sparks
12) Everybody Needs (On The Edge Of A Lost And Lonely World (Deluxe Edition)): Humanist ft. Emily Breeze

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

Sunday, 3 August 2025

25 For 25, Part One

As far as I'm concerned, 2025 has been a great year for new music, some long-term favourites returning with new albums, others discovered for the first time. 

In fact, I struggled to come up with a single 45-minute selection, so sod it. I did two. More by accident than design, the second one came in at 13 songs which, added to this dozen, conveniently delivers 25 highlights from 2025. So far.

I'm going to hold onto Side Two until next Sunday. In the meantime, surround yourself with some wonderful songs from some wonderful albums (and two singles).

1) 
Patient Has Own Supply: Constant Follower (The Smile You Send Out Returns To You)
2) Dating A Model: Emily Breeze (Rats In Paradise)
3) The Blue: Mumble Tide (Might As Well Play Another One)
4) Who This World Is Made For. (Mindful Edit): Ellen Beth Abdi (Ellen Beth Abdi)
5) Burning Bridges: The Cowboy Mouth (Faultlines)
6) have you ever had a broken heart? (Album Version): senses (all the heavens)
7) Old Oak Road (2025 Mix): Mike Smalle ft. Cathal Coughlan & Jah Wobble (Ghosts EP)
8) 1st World Blues: Bright Eyes (1st World Blues EP)
9) Signs: Olafur Arnalds / Talos (A Dawning)
10) You Know It Ain't Right: Pearl Charles (Desert Queen)
11) Good To Cry: Robert Forster (Strawberries)
12) I Materialize: Destroyer (Dan's Boogie)

Side One (45:29) (GD) (M)

Friday, 11 July 2025

So Much Music, So Little Time

After yesterday's nod to Wet Leg, whose second album Moisturizer is out today, I have to give a shout out to five other albums out NOW!

One or two previews each from Gwenno, Bronski Beat, Gina Birch, Allo Darlin' and Emily Breeze.

I will hopefully come back to most, if not all, of these in standalone posts before 2025 is over and done, but all are great contenders for your hard earned cash.

A pretty good week in a pretty good year, in other words...

Utopia: Gwenno

 

Forbidden Fruit: The Age of Consent Remixed: Bronski Beat


Trouble: Gina Birch

 

Bright Nights: Allo Darlin'

 

Rats In Paradise: Emily Breeze

 

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Summer Fun, Big Fun, Funtime, Wang Chung, Well Hung

Why should fun wait until the weekend?!

Four videos that are bursting with fun, tight jeans, glow in the dark dresses, the spirit of Iggy, choppy 80s editing, one new/old classic Cope song and, if you stay to the end, a cool Breeze. Emily Breeze, that is. 

1) Summer Fun: Barracudas (1980)
2) Big Fun: Inner City (1988)
3) Funtime (Cover of Iggy Pop): Boy George (1995)
4) Everybody Have Fun Tonight: Wang Chung (1986)
5) Well Hung At Dawn: Julian Cope (recorded 2005, released 2025)
6) Fun: Emily Breeze (2025)

 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, 29 December 2024

An A-Z Of 2024


The last three days of 2024 will feature more reflections and selections from what has been a really good year for music.
 
Today's selection is exactly what the post title suggests: 26 songs over 98 minutes, listed alphabetically by artist (ignoring 'A' or 'The' prefixes).

I've picked up lots of recommendations, mostly from fellow bloggers and, more recently, Bluesky, though rarely from music magazines these days. Thanks then to @marksmusic1977.bsky.social and Ernie Goggins for introducing me to Ana Lua Caiano and The Zawose Queens respectively. 
 
Mark posted Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado by Ana Lua Caiano as a contender for Album Of The Year and it's easy to hear why. Ana Lua Caiano’s debut album "melds rural Portuguese music traditions with layered vocals, synthesizers, insistent beats and field recordings", but it hits hard, takes some unexpected twists and turns, and packs a hell of a lot into less than half an hour.

As a paying Last Night From Glasgow member for the second consecutive year, I've received another steady stream of quality new releases and reissues on gorgeous vinyl, frequently in a variety of unexpected colours and hues, as well as access to dozens of albums via their digital vault.

Included in my vinyl package was Holding Up Half The Sky by Xan Tyler. Xan's got previous on this blog, notably Clarion Call, her collaborative album with Mad Professor in 2021. Holding Up Half The Sky is produced by Boo Hewerdine and immerses the listener in the "life stories of some incredible women [...] a journey shaped by adversity and challenges [and] arriving at a place they were seemingly destined for." The songcraft is superlative and a big hit with Mrs. K too.
 
I first heard Steve (A Weekend In Egham, 1996), the second album by Billy Reeves, via the LNFG digital vault shortly after it was released in the spring. I enjoyed Billy's first album very much, but this one had an immediate impact on my and over the course of the year, I have become obsessed with the album. Definitely one of my most played. 
 
The vinyl album wasn't included in my LNFG membership so of course I had to buy it. I kept meaning to write about Steve, but I procrastinated so much that Billy released two further albums since, a live set with Gavin Laird and, in November, his third solo album. I've heard the former - it's great - and the latter is on order.
 
There have been many triumphant returns for artists this year, including China Crisis and The Blow Monkeys (both also on LNFG), The The (their first album in a quarter of a century) and Ultravox, albeit via a deluxe 40th anniversary reissue of Lament and decent remixes by Steven Wilson and Moby

Some comebacks were a complete surprise, and exceeded all reasonable expectations. Gavin Friday's album Ecce Homo is produced by Dave Ball and is supercharged music for the heads and the hedonists. Why slow down at 65? As good as any of Gavin's previous albums, which were frankly brilliant.
 
Fluke's return seemingly came out of nowhere, Jon Fugler and Mike Tournier joined on this new adventure by the stunning vocals of Leah Cleaver. Two singles - Insanely Beautiful and Real Magnificient - and a standalone song (Jack) that are up there with their best material. The world is a better place with Fluke's music in it.

I knew of Lisa Moorish in the 1990s, though more for the pop press and tabloid features than her music. Drawn in by a David Holmes remix, the single Sylvia is a statement of intent and then some. A song about poet Sylvia Plath, set to urgent rhythms with a sublime vocal and hooky lyrics ("where do I end and you begin?"), it got my attention and Lisa's album Divine Chaos is equally worth your attention (and money). A powerful and very welcome return.

Less comeback and more career change, Dan Wainwright released the first of two solo albums this year. I was familiar with Dan's psychedelic electronica/dance/dub music and remixes. I'd also picked up on social media that he'd decided to turn away from that, learn to play the ukelele and write songs drawn deep from the soul and his lived experience. I reviewed Dan's debut back in February and I stand by every word. A shock if you're familiar with Dan's previous work, but stick with it and the songs reward with each play.

Creativity seemed to be in overdrive this year, with an astonishing quantity of quality music from Richard Norris and A Certain Ratio. Hifi Sean and David McAlmont recorded enough music for two (themed) albums and that's exactly what they've done. The first of these, Daylight, was out in August and is packed with poptastic tunes, including the anthemic Celebrate. The follow up, Twilight, is out February 2025 and, if preview single Star is anything to go by, will be as good as if not better. Truly a perfect musical partnership.

Ghost Tapes 1 To 9 by Jo Bartlett is another album that I've played repeatedly all year and it just gets better with each listen. When I posted about the album in April, I reflected on "the soundscapes that Jo has created, not least the bringing together of electronics, acoustics and voice resulting in an album that feels organic, human and warm." The songs were infused with the spirit of Jayne Casey and Nina Walsh, whilst holding their own with contemporaries Tor Maries (Billy Nomates) and Angel Olsen. In other words, right up my street.
 
I've written previously and above about the formidable talents of female artists, and today's selection includes further examples by Jane Weaver, Emily Breeze, Katy J Pearson, Eno Williams (Ibibio Sound Machine), Samantha Morton, John Glacier and Yaya Bey.
 
Producers have also, er. produced some incredible music this year. Cruelly missing from today's selection are Hugo Nicholson and David Harrow's Revolvalution or CTRL+S EDITS 2024, an album of excellent edits by Neil Parnell aka Tronik Youth.

Joe Thornally, son of legendary producer Phil, released his 5th (or 6th) album as Vegyn, The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions, in the spring. I came to Tales From The Infinite Loop or What Goes Around Comes Around by Nigel Butler via a recommendation from former bandmate and founder of theaudience, Billy Reeves. Both albums are very, very good and the latter is going on Bandcamp at the ridiculous price of 50p!
 
The Woodentops came back with a bang last year, the superb single Ride A Cloud, with a brilliant video and remixes and the promise of an album to follow. Another April release, Fruits Of The Deep, delivered far beyond the promise of the lead single, as I wrote about at the time.

I've not yet mentioned DJ Helen's inspired fusion of David Holmes' remix of Orbital's Belfast and Mike Garry's updated recording of his poem Tonight. The 4-minute version tells you what you need to know but you really need to go for the full 12-minute monty with this one. 
 
And a highlight of my many new dub purchases this year has been The Mood EP by French punnilinguists Prince François Far I and ShaYaman, available in 5 flavours, including a remix by Owl Trackers and all in tribute to Lee 'Scratch' Perry.
 
Then it's back to LNFG for Amelia Lironi and Naomi Mackay aka Quad 90, the '90' presumably referencing the year that advance single Anodyne calls to mind, not least a lost single by New Order. Not included simply to fill that difficult 'Q', I'm looking forward to their debut album in 2025.
 
Oh, and I nearly forgot Metronomy! Suffice to say, I love the Loose EP and the short, snappy, poppy collaborations, encapsulated brilliantly by Pan Amsterdam's spoken word vocals on Nice Town.
 
Finally, a very special mention for Ernie's African Odyssey over at his 27 Leggies blog, with concluded on 13th December after over 60 posts, 57 countries, 550 artists, 350 songs and 200 videos. The majority of music and artists were completely new to me, including sisters Leah and Pendo, aka The Zawose Queens, who featured when Ernie visited Tanzania in October. Maisha ("Life") is the title track of their debut album and a joyous close to today's selection. 

Note on Sunday: 
 
If you were here earlier this morning, you will have read that the majority of the above sleevenotes were to follow later, as my usual blog writing routine flexed to accommodate an extended Clan K over the festive period. 
 
Various family members left this morning, giving me some time to return to the keyboard and finish off this post. Of course, that kitchen full of dirty pans, crockery and cutlery isn't going to wash itself, so I will sign off now and be back here on Monday with another reflection on some great music this year. 
 
Casa K is well and truly back to it's chaotic norm!, and so is this blog! Thanks for sticking with me xx
 
 
1) De Cabeça Colada Ao Chão: Ana Lua Caiano (Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado)
2) I Know Who Trashed The Blue Peter Garden (Part II): Billy Reeves (Steve (A Weekend In Egham, 1996))
3) Where You Coming From (Jane Weaver Rework): A Certain Ratio (Christmasville UK EP)
4) Big Boss Man: Dan Wainwright (Dan Wainwright)
5) 1997 (Single Version): Emily Breeze (Second Rodeo EP)
6) Real Magnificent (Single Version): Fluke ft. Leah Cleaver (Real Magnificent EP)
7) Cabarotica: Gavin Friday (Ecce Homo)
8) The Show: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (Daylight)
9) Black Notes: Ibibio Sound Machine (The Black Notes EP)
10) One In A Hundred: Jo Bartlett (Ghost Tapes 1 To 9)
11) Long Range Driver: Katy J Pearson (Someday, Now)
12) Sylvia (Radio Edit): Lisa Moorish (Sylvia EP)
13) Nice Town: Metronomy x Pan Amsterdam (Posse EP Volume 2)
14) Beginningless: Nigel Butler (Tales From The Infinite Loop or What Goes Around Comes Around)
15) Tonight In Belfast (Edit): Orbital ft. DJ Helen, David Holmes & Mike Garry (Tonight In Belfast EP)
16) The Mood (Owl Trackers Remix): Prince François Far I & ShaYaman (The Mood EP)
17) Anodyne (Radio Edit): Quad 90 (Anodyne EP)
18) A Field In Dub: Richard Norris (Oracle Sound Volume Three)
19) Broxtowe Girl: Sam Morton ft. Ali Campbell & Alabaster DePlume (Daffodils & Dirt)
20) Linoleum Smooth To The Stockinged Foot (Album Version): The The (Ensoulment)
21) Lament (Moby Remix): Ultravox (Lament (Deluxe Edition))
22) A Dream Goes On Forever: Vegyn ft. John Glacier (The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions)
23) Dream On (Album Version): The Woodentops (Fruits Of The Deep)
24) You're My Muse: Xan Tyler (Holding Up Half The Sky)
25) A Survivor's Guilt: Yaya Bey (TRAИƧA)
26) Maisha: The Zawose Queens (Maisha)

An A-Z Of 2024 (1:38:18) (KF) (Mega)

Tuesday, 24 December 2024

Up Close And Personal


Compared to the last ten years, I've seen a lot of live music this year: 17 gigs, 32 artists, countless memories of a great night out (or day, in some cases).
 
I've also missed a record number, tickets purchased but a last minute crisis or other convergence has meant not making it to the gig (though I have had a positive experience reselling tickets via Tixel).
 
And there have been a fair few, particularly those involving Clan K in whole or part, where I've missed the support act. 
 
But the gigs I've been to have all been wonderful in different ways and impossible to rank, they're all favourites to me.

Click on the individual links to read my reflections. In most cases, there was a bespoke Dubhed selection to accompany and I've reactivated the links to all, including additional selections that were linked from the original post.


January

February
 
March
 
May
 
July
 
August
 
September
Lloyd Cole (Set One & Set Two)
 
October
 
November 
 
 
I'd underestimated the size of the task when I started this post but, if I haven't messed up along the way, you can tap into 25 Dubhed selection and over a day's worth of continuous listening. One for Boxing Day, perhaps...?

I'm not sure that I'll be able to make it to as many gigs in 2025, though I have a couple lined up already, including John Grant in February, rescheduled from this year due to illness. 
 
The wish list is already very, very long and I'll share my experiences here, one by one.
 
This blog never sleeps, so drop by here tomorrow if you're tired of tinsel and turkey. I'm making this up as I go along, and I'll be as surprised as you are to find out what the Christmas Day post is all about...!

Sunday, 8 December 2024

What Will I Do Without The Weight Of You?


Today's selection is inadvertently a dozen highlights from 2024, connected simply by virtue of incredible voices.
 
All of the albums, EPs and one-offs deserve a post in their own right, but suffice to say here that every single one is worth tracking down. It's been an embarrassment of riches these past twelve months, without a doubt.
 
Many of the artists here have become firm favourites thanks to the discerning taste and recommendations of my fellow travellers in the blogosphere. A shout out therefore for the following: HANN (C @ Sun Dried Sparrows), Humanist (Mike @ well, here pretty often), Nana Benz Du Togo (Ernie @ 27 Leggies) and Acid Klaus (Swiss Adam @ Bagging Area). Legends, all of you!

There's a connection to my birthplace Bristol, too, as three of the artists are based there: Emily Breeze, tor aka Tor Maries aka Billy Nomates and Katy J Pearson. I've been fortunate to see Emily and Katy live in concert. I was hoping to see Tor perform an intimate hometown gig last week at the wonderful Strange Brew, but unfortunately couldn't make it. One day, one day...
 
It was hard to narrow this selection down to a mere twelve, given the quality and quantity of great music. Criminal omissions include albums from Beth Gibbons, Ibibio Sound Machine, Isobel Campbell, Jane Weaver, Jo Bartlett, Sam Morton, Starless and Xan Tyler, and many more singles and EPs. Needless to say, I'm already thinking of a companion selection...

For today though, enjoy the next three quarters of an hour of subllime sounds.

1) Shade To The Sunshine: HANN (Forever In A Glance)
2) When I Look At You: Gates Of Light (Gates Of Light II)
3) Love You More: Humanist ft. Isobel Campbell (On The Edge Of A Lost And Lonely World)
4) Wicked Game (Cover of Chris Isaak): The Anchoress (Versions: Encore EP)*
5) Graceland (Single Version) (Cover of Paul Simon): Emily Breeze (Second Rodeo EP)
6) Tite (Kiledjian 'The Womb' Remix): Nana Benz Du Togo (Tite (Kiledjian Remixes) EP)
7) Aerodromes (Single Version): Acid Klaus ft. Philly Piper (P.T.S.D By Proxy EP)
8) Trance Stance (Single Version): Electric Blue Vision (Trance Stance EP)
9) wwid: tor (wwid EP)
10) In The Countryside: Kito Jempere ft. Lena Tronina (Part Time Chaos Part Time Calmness)
11) Sylvia (Album Version): Lisa Moorish (Divine Chaos)
12) Sky: Katy J Pearson (Someday, Now)

What Will I Do Without The Weight Of You? (44:40) (KF) (Mega)



* Yes, I know that Catherine Anne Davies originally recorded and released Wicked Game as a standalone single during lockdown in 2020. However, the song received it's first physical release at the weekend, on the 6-track Versions: Encore, a limited edition of 500 12" EPs on eco-vinyl. Each 12" is manufactured from leftover wax pellets, resulting in a completely unique colour combination, and hand signed by Catherine. But hurry up, only 17 left at the time of this posting!

Monday, 22 April 2024

Young And Dumb And Full Of Shit...What A Beautiful Thing

The Second Rodeo EP by Emily Breeze was released in full this weekend, with a great video for lead song 1997.
 
Previous release The Beatniks is up next, followed by We Were Lovers. 

 
 
 
Rounding off the EP is a barnstorming version of Graceland by Paul Simon, which was also the set closer to Emily Breeze's superb gig at The Fleece in Bristol, which I raved about back in February.

But don't just take my word for it, Emily has posted performances of 1997 and Graceland from that very gig on the band's YouTube page. It's every bit as good as I remember. In fact, look closely and you may spot me in the crowd, having a great time.


Emily has indicated that the 4 songs will appear on a bigger, physical release later in the year. In the meantime, get down with the digital.

Sunday, 25 February 2024

See Emily Play (At Last)

For my second gig in February - and third of 2024 - I finally (finally!) got to see Emily Breeze (the person and the band) at The Fleece in Bristol on Friday night.
 
Emily's been releasing music for the best part of two decades and I even had a song of hers on a cover mounted CD with long-gone local listings magazine, Venue. However, my Damascene moment came in early 2022, when I (re)discovered Emily's music via a Barry Adamson remix of her single Ego Death, which led me to second album, Rituals (2019). I was a fully signed up fan from that point on.

In July 2022 I wrote that "I've not yet had the experience of seeing Emily Breeze live in concert but I'm hoping to address that in the near future.". Eighteen months and several missed opportunities later, I finally got to do it and no spoilers to say that my expectations were high yet Emily and band not only surpassed them, Friday night's show was into the stratosphere.

But before the main event, there was a supporting set by fellow Bristol-based artists Mumble Tide to enjoy. And enjoy them I did.
 
Mumble Tide are a core couple of Gina Leonard and Ryan Rogers, who met via Gumtree and have gone on to release music that's described as "kinda country, kinda synthy, kinda moody". They made their debut on this blog last month as part of my marathon selection of covers of I'm On Fire by Bruce Springsteen. I liked this and the A-side Sleepy Heads so I was looking forward to seeing them live on stage.
 
For this show, Mumble Tide were fleshed out to a five-piece band, with added saxophone, bass and drums. Given how quickly this line-up was apparently pulled together and notwithstanding the occasional fluff, the group seemed incredibly relaxed and on it, making for an enriching, entrancing performance.
 
Gina's voice wonderfully alternates between delicate and powerful as the song demands, definitely one of the defining "kinda country" elements. 
 
The only downside to the half-hour set were the clusters of audience "scenesters" who were more interested in having a conversation with their mates than enjoy the experience in front of them. At one point, Ryan called them out and I ended up moving nearer the stage to escape the inane jabber behind me. FFS, if you're having to shout to make yourself heard, piss off outside and have the conversation there. I'm here for the music, not your self-important, entitled musings...!

Sadly, it happened again as Gina announced then started the final song. "Come on guys, one more song", she pleaded which she shouldn't have had to. I didn't catch any of the song titles but this was a beautiful closer, just Gina and Ryan with the latter on accordion which just elevated the vocals wonderfully.
 
I really hope that Mumble Tide got enough positive energy from the audience to realise that the majority of people were loving what they did on stage. I'll be visiting them again next Bandcamp Friday to get their back catalogue and make sure they get all of the purchase proceeds. I also hope I get to see Mumble Tide perform live again, whether as a duo or a full band, and hopefully with a longer set.

As I was entering The Fleece at 7.30pm, Emily Breeze, passed me on the way out. It's one of those moments where I spectacularly fail to be spontaneous. I should've have said something to convey my excitement at being there. That said, I likely would have ended up sounding like Nigel Tufnell in a climatic scene from This Is Spinal Tap, telling bandmate David St. Hubbins to have a good show. Besides, there was a queue of hand-stamped people behind me wanting to get in, the moment passed and I carried on into the venue.

In my mind, Emily and band are already superstars, so it was a reality check seeing them on stage setting up their own kit after Mumble Tide's warm up set. That said, Emily even managed to make fixing a mike stand look effortlessly cool.
 
The band were all on stage and ready to go for some minutes, awaiting some final technical tweaks, so there was no grand entrance as such. Not needed, to be honest. The audience erupted when the first bars of Ego Death kicked in and Emily uttered the opening line, "Every day I wake up praying that my place of work will have been burnt down" and for the next hour or so, it was a constant high.

Emily Breeze the band is Emily (vocals, guitar, glamour), Rob Norbury (lead guitar), George Caveney (bass), Helen Stanley (keyboards/synths) and Andy Sutor (drums). They look as good as they sound, distinct and individual performances without grandstanding and elevating the overall performance to a level way beyond the modest confines of The Fleece. 

And then there's Emily. I'm usually one to stand a little back and to the side at gigs, my days of jumping into the mosh long gone (though to be honest, relatively rare back in the day). However, the earlier audience chit-chat shitshow had pushed and positioned me more front and centre so I had a head on view of Emily, between two of the several supporting pillars. As a result, it honestly felt at times like Emily was staring me straight in the eyes as she sang. I like to think the lines from Cosmic Evolution, 
 
In a major breakthrough scientists have discovered
That you are fabulous
You are a fabulous pain in the arse 

were meant just for me on Friday night.

The 13-song set drew heavily on last year's spectacular third album, Rapture, unsurprisingly one of my musical highlights of 2023.

There are a couple of songs from Rituals early on, the aforementioned Ego Death and Limousines. We're then treated to current single The Beatniks and the other two songs from the upcoming Second Rodeo EP, namely 1997 and We Were Lovers. All three continue to raise the bar from what has gone before and show an artist and band truly at the top of their game. 

In a live environment, it felt like a greatest hits show, the songs so embedded in my psyche though imbued with an energy and sense of scale that transcends the original studio versions. It's impossible to pick a favourite though I was especially pleased to hear Ego Death, The Bell, Confessions Of An Ageing Party Girl and the new songs.

Emily is a mesmerising performer. I've had the good fortune to see Debbie Harry, Siouxsie Sioux and PJ Harvey live in concert and Emily conveys the same power and assurance on stage, whilst making you feel like you're the only person in the audience and she's singing just for you. No cartwheeling histrionics here, though she does end up on her back playing guitar at one point, thankfully without the Spinal Tap-esque issues of getting back up again. Yet her understated stage movements are wonderfully poised and photogenic and prove that less is more, the performance speaking for itself.

The show is over all too soon, though following blistering Ordinary World, the band 'encore' (they don't leave the stage) to close the set is an unexpected and utterly brilliant version of Paul Simon's Graceland which needs to be heard to be believed.

And then it was all over, the lights came up and I left before the night continued with One More Time, the "90's + 00's party" starting afterwards. I checked my phone. It was 9.45pm! Emily and entourage were decamping to the Seven Stars pub next door, with an open invitation to the audience to come along. I didn't, but I'd already had pretty much a perfect night.

Today's selection, as yesterday, doesn't match the setlist song for song. For one thing, the Second Rodeo EP isn't out until April and only The Beatniks is currently available to purchase. The cover of Graceland also exists only as a live version. Luckily, not that many songs are duplicated from the Dubhed selection, Confessions, that I posted in June 2023 though I was tickled to find that the set also opened and closed with Ego Death and Ordinary World. So, what you've got here is 10 of the 13 songs, coming in at under 40 minutes.

If you're quick, you may still be able to get tickets for Emily's upcoming dates in Cardiff, Leeds, Brighton, Bedford and Cambridge. If you make it, you are in for a real treat, albeit the start of a lifelong commitment to a fabulous artist and band. Embrace the obsession.
 
1) Ego Death (Album Version) (2019)
2) Oh, Anna Nicole (2023)
3) Limousines (2019)
4) The Beatniks (2024)
5) Hey Kidz (2020)
6) The Bell (2023)
7) Confessions Of An Ageing Party Girl (Daddy G vs Robot Club Remix By Grant Marshall & Stew Jackson) (2023)
8) Cosmic Evolution (2023)
9) Part Of Me (2023)
10) Ordinary Life (Radio Edit) (2022)
 
2019: Rituals: 1, 3
2022: Ordinary Life EP: 10
2023: Confessions Of An Ageing Party Girl EP: 7
2023: Rapture: 2, 5, 6, 8, 9
2024: Second Rodeo EP: 4 
 
See Emily Play (39:37) (KF) (Mega
You can find Confessions, the previous Emily Breeze selection, here.
 
 
A final nod to the photographs from Friday night that I've used for this post. The headline photo of the full Emily Breeze band is courtesy of Gavin McNamara, the lovely photo of Gina and Ryan from Mumble Tide (my crop) is by Chris Jones. The grainy, amateurishly framed pictures of Emily are all the work of my ageing (party) phone.