It was a night for pitch-perfect pop at the Sebright Arms as one of the UK’s most underrated emerging pop artists, Bexx, took to the stage, performing her new EP to a crowd brimming with enthusiasm for the talent’s headline London show on 22 November.
Despite sickness, Bexx nailed every note of her 13-track set accompanied by her live band (Thomas Kenny, Jonny Cheung and Alex Rosseter). The set was well paced and engaging, comprised of a selection of old, new and un-released music. I love seriously good, euphoric alt-pop which is why I’ve listened to Bexx’s EP ‘SUCKER’ many times since it was released in July. But hearing the tracks performed live reminded me what a diamond she is in a scene where being such a strong vocalist isn’t mandatory. The technical prowess of her vocals cannot go unacknowledged. The live arrangement was clean and exciting, and definitely made being out on a cold night worthwhile.
Bexx’s lyricism, combined with upbeat hooks, perfectly encapsulates the ridiculousness of dating and heartbreak. She embodies the pain, the pleasure and the stupid in a cathartic explosion that’ll have you feeling blindly optimistic about the idea of being hurt again. The overall narrative lends itself well to live performance demonstrated by the audience singing in supportive rage and torment ‘I hate this song ‘cause it’s about you’ and ‘ha ha ha ha, I’m dying alone’.
For me, it’s a real treat when the gap between music I have stumbled across organically and the artist that made it, is bridged so perfectly with a live show. I want gigs to enhance the way I experience songs that I already love, and Bexx did just that. In the middle of the set the crowd was treated to a cover of Katy Perry’s ‘Hot and Cold’ and it’s not too much of a stretch to compare the two artists where lyricism, vocal ability and overall artistry are concerned.
Bexx is undoubtedly one to watch and has been for a while. Her live shows have gone from strength to strength and are the perfect place to find your next favourite song. She attracts support from a diverse, supportive crowd where the lines between friend and fan are blurred to near extinction. The energy is immaculate, making any bar she plays the perfect night out.
If you enjoy ‘unserious heartbreak pop’, I highly recommend getting to a Bexx show before she realises she could charge more for her tickets!