Abbie Miladinovic went to see Kerri Watt, supported by Lauren Rycliffe, at the Hyde Park Book Club last Wednesday.
Having never visited Hyde Park Book Club before, I jumped at the opportunity to go to a gig at what’s been lauded as one of Leeds’ “hidden gems”.
My second gig in the space of three days, I had high hopes for this one; you couldn’t even get inside the venue for the first. I was hoping that I wasn’t going to again be crowded out by students wearing clothes that even my grandparents wouldn’t wear.
Arriving at HPBC after successfully traversing the near-deadly pedestrian lights at Hyde Park Corner (twice), we were served by a charming guy who poured us “a little extra” wine. The rioja was excellent, the extra sip even sweeter. Going through to the venue is like going through to someone’s living room at a house party, cosy rugs on the floor, fairy lights, and an assortment of chairs that one can only imagine have been salvaged from skips over the years.
Lauren Rycliffe, the support act, a Leeds lass with an ethereal voice similar to Hannah Reid’s, of London Grammar, plays a stripped back acoustic set. Her lyricism would suggest that she either looks remarkably well for her age or is wise beyond her years (I think it’s the latter). The songs demonstrate a sophistication of thought and reflection on personal experience that a lot would benefit from. She plays 6 songs in total, all with thought-inducing lyrics and stunning vocals. She finishes the set with one of the better covers of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac I think I’ve ever heard, an accolade in itself.
Kerri Watt comes to the stage (the front of the sitting room) in an outfit that would be at home on Carnaby St in the 60s with her friend Eloise, wearing a great Babes Unite t-shirt. Kerri has an accent that’s a blend of Glaswegian and Californian, giving the impression that she’s well-travelled. The songs that follow demonstrate that she is. They feature catchy licks and a hint of country, really pleasant on the ears.
Paris a song about intermittent romance is upbeat and reminds us all of times and people that you just keep going back to. Sorrow, a song Kerri reclaimed from her younger brother who’d pinched it for his own set, is slower, played on the piano and reveals a rich soulful aspect to Kerri’s voice. Song of My Soul, about growing up in Scotland and being anchored to where we’re brought up features the lyric “north in my veins”, something we can all relate to, right? This is followed by my favourite of the evening Wandering Kind, with some serious high notes and mature commentary about being in a long distance relationship.
Now comes the surprise of the evening, an interactive cover of Let the Good Times Roll. In my awkward teenage years I would have cringed and “died inside” at this. Kerri hands out an eclectic collection of small percussion instruments like those that you get in music lessons at primary school and encourages the crowd to get joined in. A mixture of embarrassment and enjoyment fills the room, I think they just about pull it off.
Followed by a cover of You’ve Got a Friend, sung by both Kerri and Eloise (who’s been playing on percussion and guitar and accompanying vocals throughout), brings the mood back down and features some melting harmonies. Long Way Home, a song that’s been played on the radio and Hey Love finish the set.
If you Google Kerri, it comes up with “for those who like KT Tunstall”. I don’t really think this does her justice, her voice is sweeter, songs are catchier, and despite the interactive singalong in the middle, a lot less corny. I’d never heard of Kerri before, but after this, I’m looking forward to the album next year.