Headline: Anna Sweeney
Where: Stereo Cafe, Glasgow
When: 9th November, 2019
As the temperature drops and the rain falls outside, a healthy crowd start to gather in Stereo’s intimate underground venue. I pick up a beer, chat to a few familiar faces and soon sense the anticipation amongst the excited crowd, filled with fans, friends and fellow musicians alike (of which there are many in the audience tonight).
Anna eases in with the piano-based opener ‘Wish you’d take the blame’ followed by ‘Jealous’ - while jumping between her keyboard, guitar and three mics. Both tracks already prove how deftly she can move from more Nashville-country vibes to all out pop, a recurring theme of tonight’s gig.
The night then kicks into life as the Robyn-influenced, new single, ‘Change The Way I Dress’ gives the crowd their first opportunity to test their vocal range, with each infectious chorus accompanied by a mass sing-a-long (while Anna sips on mug of tea). A real moment of connection between the performer and her attentive audience.
During a quiet moment, Anna mentions she normally performs on stage with a band and rarely solo, but tonight she is anything but alone. Whether it be surrounded by friends in the audience who have been supporting her for years, or those who joined her on stage for a poignant and emotive version of ‘There Is A Way’. A song touchingly dedicated to those who have battled through tough times and kept going - and its this steely determination which has seen Anna soar back on stage this year with a mixture of old favourites and new songs, some of which signal a new musical maturity and a diverse range of influences.
The set draws to close with euphoric single ‘Way Back Then’ - which is in essence a synth-pop, country song - not something easily mastered, but here Anna makes it look simple. She excitedly jumps upon the stage speakers, with the crowd in the palm of her hand, and with little encouragement, they belt back her own lyrics. What a feeling, visibly overwhelmed with the reaction she heads off stage to chants of “One more tune!”… Luckily for us, she has one final treat up her white jumpsuit sleeve.
Anna arrives back on stage and welcomes her talented friend Pedro (Man of The Minch) up to accompany her on the fiddle, the duo proceed to play a gorgeous arrangement of her 2017 single, ‘You Knew It’. It was captivating, moving and a pleasure to see two young musicians at the top of their game. Expect a big 2020 for Glasgow's Queen of Pop! - DC
Upcoming Headline shows: [Tickets Here]
28th Dec @ Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh
10th Jan @ The Buf, Ayr
17th Jan @ Mad Hatters, Inverness