Chloe Foy

Voodoo Daddy's quickly become an established part of the Norwich live music scene after moving to the top of London Street in December 2023. Its basement stage has since witnessed some impressive acts, thanks to the efforts of  Ben Street and his team. However Thursday night was a first for me as I descended the steps to find that seats had been set out. For tonight, the audience was here for a night of acoustic music, headlined by Gloucestershire singer-songwriter Chloe Foy. First up, though, were two local acts.

Amber Scott is an established name on the East coast circuit, and was previously a member of the band Swimsuit Competition. Now, armed with her guitar, she sings songs of love and longing tinged with just a hint of sadness. Her eight-song set included a lovely ode to Amsterdam, and a celebration of Simple Pleasures.

May Gabriels describes herself as a busker who writes songs about love and relationships, and, with her pop and neo-soul style, has attracted comparisons with artists like Olivia Dean, Arlo Parkes, and Sade. She played a full-band show here back in November, but tonight it is just her and her guitar, but  is joined by band member William for a couple of numbers. She is another talented singer songwriter to have emerged recently through the Norwich ranks.

Chloe Foy did not think that she had played Norwich before, but she had certainly opened for Cornish indie/Americana trio William The Conqueror at the Waterfront Studio about four years ago. She did remember the night, but was recovering from COVID at the time, so can be justifiably excused if her memories of that night are somewhat vague. She has released two albums – 2021’s Where Shall We Begin, which contains a number of songs borne out of the loneliness and uncertainties of the pandemic, and last year’s post break-up opus, Complete Fool, in which she sets out to ponder an imagined and reshaped future. Songs from both albums are included in her set tonight. Her voice reminds me of Lucy Rose, and her honesty and bravery in delivering the new songs in particular was both endearing and moving.

So, if you have never been to an acoustic night at Voodoo Daddy’s, what is it like. Well, the sound and the lighting is superb – white spots predominantly replace the bright hues and frequent effects that characterise many of the rock nights. The volume is adjusted to suit the sensitivity of the material and, although the seating was certainly a bonus, many folk audiences are certainly prepared to stand. Tonight was not a problem, and everyone who wanted to sit could do so.

We will certainly see and hear more of Amber Scott and May Gabriels at future gigs around Norwich. Let’s hope it’s not long before Chloe Foy also makes a return visit to Norwich.