Eliza Shaddad @ The Bicycle Shop
A night of bewitching musical storytelling
The Bicycle Shop on St. Benedicts Street is a landmark in Norwich’s grassroots music scene, and, unusually, a venue I’ve never visited before. Tonight the almost intimidatingly adorable downstairs room of the café is all set up for live music from singer/songwriter Eliza Shaddad. Aptly, it’s my first time seeing both acts on the evening’s line up, and there’s excitement in the atmosphere.
Milly Hirst opens proceedings. I’m won over instantly. Her wistful, acoustic songs are enchanting, stunningly crafted with delightfully candid lyrics. Vocally, there are no flaws. Every word of every line is clear and strong, offset beautifully by Hirst’s simple guitar tickles. An a capella song that, “normally has a harmonium on it”, stands out firmly as a mesmerising highlight, as does Mary, written posthumously about Hirst’s grandmother which holds an intriguing narrative.
You may know Eliza Shaddad from a variety of projects. Not only is she a founding member of female art collective Girls Girls Girls, she’s also worked on tracks with Clean Bandit. Tonight, she adopts a singer-songwriter persona, in promotion of her latest Run EP.
We’re treated to, “a big mix of old and new things”, from Shaddad, who is accompanied by a male drummer and bassist. The sound is slightly stifled in the small room but her silky vocals still flow beautifully, contrasting well with crashing cymbals. Wars is the first standout moment, upbeat but sombre, comparable to Lianne La Havas or Laura Mvula. Track titles are hard to catch, but the majority of the show consists of captivating mid-tempo songs with emotive lyrics. It’s nostalgia inspiring, appropriate given the somewhat ramshackle performance space.
Always and Run, from the EP, come towards the end, before “our most upbeat song… it’s about death” Waters closes a night of bewitching musical storytelling.
