Soak @ Norwich Arts Centre
A haunting innocence and vulnerability
Last night, Irish indie folk singer, SOAK, reminded us why it is we listen to live music. In awe, we listened to her beautifully warm and striking voice float through the church arches of Norwich’s Arts Centre, singing songs about the complexities and heartaches of teenage life from her debut album. All were sung with such a haunting innocence and vulnerability it seems hard to believe she’s only 19.
The set opened with a small acoustic section before she was joined by a bassist and drummer who I felt really lifted her music to its full capacity. Songs like Blud and Sea Creatures were performed with a stunning balance between a potent energy and the warmer, softer tones of her voice. SOAK, real name Bridie Monds-Watson, communicated with the audience throughout, telling stories of her life as a full time singer-songwriter and as a teenage party-goer, captivating the audience even more as it seemed hard to comprehend someone so seemingly normal could write songs with such a unique depth. Another highlight was Shuvels, a song that allowed her voice to glow as the powerful melancholic tones haunted the venue, making the converted church feel perfect.
She ended her set with a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me again placing the audience in a trance as her voice seemed to reach new depths of beauty and heartache with every word.
