Chloe Slater
It’s really encouraging to see a budding young talent like Chloe building her artistic identity on raising awareness for important issues
Off the back of her debut album “Riot Youth” and having amassed a huge online following since bursting onto the scene in 2023, Mancunian singer songwriter stopped in Norwich during a huge UK tour.
Support band “Fletchr Fletchr” opened proceedings with soaring alternative rock akin to Royal Blood, Sam Fender and Muse. Their cutting lyricism was captivating, including a touching tribute to the singer’s late father. With booming drums and thrashing guitars their sound expanded far beyond the intimate confines of the Waterfront Studio.
Headliner Chloe emerged onto the stage backed by her band, kicking things off with “Mother Nature’s Killing Spree” drenched in a 90s esq sonic glow. The soaring chorus encapsulating the rush and anxiety of growing up whilst processing the fear of the climate crisis. This transitioned nicely into the blaring riffs of “Southern Youth” sounding straight out of a John Hughes movie.
Teens in the front row bounced along in glee as Chloe belted out verses with a confident prowess. The band was extremely tight in their performance.
Limited chat was exchanged by Chloe, asides from a bizarre moment trying to break up a random argument in the crowd. “This next song is a slow one, so you’re not allowed to argue”.
Chloe didn’t fail to use her stage to speak up as she preached “Free Palestine” before modern political anthem “War Crimes”. Followed by the delectably tongue in cheek “Get Me Out” written about Matt Hancock’s time on I’m A Celebrity.
It’s really encouraging to see a budding young talent like Chloe building her artistic identity on raising awareness for important issues, encouraging her fans to be engaged in activism, and opening their eyes to the corruption happening all around the world every day. Witnessing her songs live drove the message through even harder. She concluded the night with the bittersweet euphoria of “Fig Tree”, a modern hymnal to the pains of patriarchy.
We desperately need more artists that aren’t afraid to speak the truth on oppressive forces, and the modern corruption of politicians turning their heads to the likes of the climate crisis and war. Chloe does so perfectly through the medium of vigorous pop rock that translates effortlessly live. One can only hope her career continues to flourish for years to come.
