Music / Reviews
Review: Paige Kennedy, the Louisiana – ‘The epitome of queer joy’
If wonky pop was a person, Paige Kennedy would be its name!
An artist lost between the realms of Ziggy Stardust glamour and quirky 80s alt-synth, Paige leaves no stone unturned in her ability to win an audience over with charming witticism and pure fun.
This gig is truly one to remember, evoking simultaneous feelings of dancing for hours at the club, giggling through a comedy gig and finding a new favourite artist.
A newly formed local band were in the support slot for Paige Kennedy’s Bristol leg of their UK tour
Ziggy2000 and her relatively newly-formed band introduced the night with exceptional clarity and charm. An alternative indie band, they create a sound that could soundtrack a 90s teen film celebrating adolescence in all its highs and lows.
Breathy shoegaze guitars dissolve into head-banging choruses and Ziggy’s voice floats above it all, able to capture innocent lyrics with understated power.
Their stage presence is certainly welcoming; a refreshingly sweet band to see in such an intimate venue, making the audience into friends through their music.
‘Well paced and dynamic’ – Bristol artist Ziggy2000
Ziggy’s stunning vocal ability takes the breath away with such a knowledge of how to integrate emotion into the storytelling through vocals, able to melt perfectly into the orchestration behind her.
Credit must be given also to the thrashing yet meticulous guitar solos that just make you want to close your eyes and absorb every note.
From acoustic solos to pop and more, their set was well-paced and dynamic with snippets of unique play with tempo, mood and rhythm as we watched the artists work gently to fuse a completely unique sound to the night – delivering real musical craftsmanship, even for such a newly formed group.
Ziggy2000 appears at the Grace in London on February 24, supporting Mariae Cassandra
On to Paige Kennedy: what an amazing artist! Witty, endearing and talented, they are the epitome of queer joy in music.
Striding onto the stage in patient scrubs, they are unafraid to admit they love doing a ‘bit’ to get the crowd going – starting with a fabulous quadruple-denim outfit reveal, followed by a Radiohead-esque soundscape of computerised voices.
The crowd buzz with excitement – if this is how you start a show, then what’s next!?
Paige delighted the audience with a four-piece denim outfit reveal early on in the set
The band surged through a rolodex of genres with assurance: funk, alt, pop, indie sleaze, dance and more were showcased with such fearlessness, a testament to the agility they innately craft in persona.
There was quirky 80s synth but the set also encompassed a wide range of other genres
Paige Kennedy not only has the glam rock exterior of Bowie, but can also handle these wide ranging genres in a way that is flowing and organic, taking the setlist and turning it into an exploration of what modern alternative music can encompass.
The band handled the mixing of live and pre-recorded sound seamlessly – shoutout to the fabulous Greg hiding away behind the sound desk whom the audience loved, says our reviewer
A million and one tiny details in their playing created pure magic, a gig rich with intricacies.
Guitar riffs and fills were played with piercing pinpoint accuracy, bouncy chords got the crowd dancing, funky basslines kept songs flowing and lyrical themes matched perfectly with their orchestration.
Kennedy and band’s tour continues, taking in venues in the north of England and Scotland
Yet what really is to be taken away from this gig is the showcasing of the queer experience in a fresh yet poignant perspective.
With songs explaining the sometimes humorous experiences of the community, such as being misgendered during an M&S bra fitting, efforts to accurately identify signs of lesbianism or attempts to flirt with your male friend, unreciprocated crushes and so much more
“I’m a little rat boy in the body of a lingerie model,” sings Kennedy on their latest single
The light that Paige shines is one of truth, joy and optimism on the current climate for the LGBT+ community.
Paige Kennedy – and their new EP – is one to watch out for. Wonky pop is the way to go!
All images: Poppy Beresford
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
