Narc. Magazine Online
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Thomas Jackson enjoys an evening of reflective songwriting and superlative talent at Sunderland’s newest live music night
Image: This Little Bird by Thomas Jackson
There’s something special stirring in Sunderland. The music scene is on the up, buoyed by the awarding of Music City status, and live music seems to be popping up in every nook and cranny. What was missing though was something gentler, more reflective, quieter. That’s exactly what David Brewis is looking to create with Quite Quiet at Port Independent, the independent coffee shop and clothing boutique tucked away in the centre of the city.
The concept is simple, yet bold – a monthly showcase dedicated to music that asks you to lean in and reflect. In a city building real momentum in its arts scene, Quite Quiet positions itself as a connective thread – a bridge between the fantastic Young Musicians Project and the wider Sunderland scene, giving emerging talent a sympathetic space to grow alongside established names.
Field Music’s David Brewis opened proceedings with the kind of relaxed authority you only earn after years of creating meticulous, intelligent pop. Stripped back to acoustic essentials (and the odd whistle), his performance felt like a privileged peek behind the curtain – the architecture of great songwriting laid bare.
YMP alumni Georgia Ruyi made her full live debut here, and despite a few nerves, the quality of her songwriting shone brightly. There was something genuinely awe-inspiring about watching her grow in confidence throughout the all too short set. I could have listened to this all night.
Closing the evening, This Little Bird – Beccy Young to her mum – brought the warmth and the humour that she is known for. Her songs sat perfectly in the intimate surroundings of Port Independent, the coffee shop’s ambient clutter of shelves and clothing racks somehow becoming the ideal acoustic backdrop.
Quite Quiet has arrived not quite fully formed, with plenty of space to develop and find its voice. If this first edition is any indication, the first Thursday of the month is worth clearing your diary for.
