Night of wit and energy from X Factor singer Lucy
The new season at the Inchyra Arts Club opened in fine style on Thursday with a triple bill of female singer/song-writers ... writes Peter Drummond-Hay.
Opening the show was young Edinburgh-based Megan D, performing songs from her recent ‘Out in the Ocean’ EP.
A highlight was ‘Every song that I sing’, which featured in an advert for the SSPCA and a great cover of ‘Freefallin’, written by the late Tom Petty. Accompanying herself on guitar, Megan D gave a strong performance, which bodes well for her future.
Next to take the stage was Lauren Ray whose engaging personality and self deprecating chat endeared her to the large and appreciative audience. Sitting alone at the keyboard, she treated the crowd to some lovely songs about relationships, both hers and other people’s, largely taken from her album ‘We will need courage’.
Claiming that suffering from a cold had made her voice even sexier, she led the audience in a great singalong self-penned ‘One of the Lucky Ones’ before finishing with a delicate and vulnerable version of David Gray’s ‘Babylon’.
Then headliner Lucy Spraggan took to the stage with wit and energy. The former X Factor contestant kept the crowd enthralled with the power of her songs.
The accompaniment of her guitar and Josh’s delicate keyboards added just a hint of spice to the delivery.
Her songs are witty and clever but she never forgets that a great tune is also required.
Lucy’s chat between songs is often fascinating, giving her songs context and background and she often uses her songs as a confessional and is honest and unpretentious.
There were many highlights in her set, including the amusingly misheard ‘Lonely Goats’ ‘Sunday Song’ and a powerful statement about battling mental health in ‘Fight for it’.
‘Tea and Toast’, written about an incident she witnessed in her native Derbyshire town of Buxton was
Former X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan playing at Inchyra Art Club. Pic: Cameron Phillips Photography delightful and ‘Dear You’, the first single taken from her fourth album ‘I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing’ was a triumph.
Occupying the same sort of area as Lily Allen and Kate Nash, her writing delves deeper into the human psyche.
‘Last night’ was a very funny take on youthful alcoholic adventures and there was also a poignant and affecting take on dementia as well as a very fine and witty reply to a blues club heckler.
All too soon came the closer ‘Unsinkable’ and the audience loved it. Catchy sing-along songs with powerful messages don’t come any better than this, making Thursday another wonderful night in the Carse of Gowrie.
Next to appear at the Inchyra Arts Club will be Martin Taylor and Alison Burns, celebrating 100 years since the birth of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald on Wednesday, November 1.