Damian Robinson enjoys a unique combination of stand-up and reflective songwriting
Starting the evening off with the unique combination of stand-up comedy and poetry, Kate Fox somewhat inhabits the inner spirit of John Cooper Clarke with a set that is as funny as it is genuinely thought-provoking. Exploring ideas of neurodivergence and the power of relationships, Fox’s work taps at the question of what it’s like to feel different in a world where other people seem to be able to hold their life together; it’s a message that blends well with the underlying themes of tonight’s headliners, Brick, and their search for kindness and warmth in a world which doesn’t always feel like enough is available for everyone.
Dreamy and remote, Brick (Bridie Jackson and Nick Pierce) use minimal and sparse songwriting to leave sufficient space to evoke feelings of meditation and reflection. Pulled together with a mixture of piano, acoustic guitar and violin, the stillness of Brick’s music is perhaps its core strength – combined well with Jackson’s unique vocal delivery which soars and swoops above the musical foundation. A tidy set, supported by a busy crowd which remain as still as possible, means the set ends on the question of what is next for the collective and how far can they push their interesting venture.