Anyone who knows Leeds knows Brudenell Social Club is always a fun night out. A community-led bar, showcasing a range of different musicians and genres from up-and-coming artists to some huge names – Brudenell hosts events and gigs most days of the week.
North London’s Delilah Holliday started the night playing dreamy, downtempo, electronic beats.
Holliday burst into the music industry in 2012 with her sister and cousin, in feminist, riot grrrl Punk band ‘Skinny Girl Diet’. Delilah has now come into her own and found her unique sound and style – sonically very different to the sounds of ‘Skinny Girl Diet’. Nevertheless, the intent behind her music remains the same; her songs are still queer and bold and extremely expressive.
As part of her solo career, Delilah has delved into the world of production. Transitioning between beats on stage with a sampler, it was a nice contrast to the multi-instrumental performance yet to come from Georgia.
It was refreshing to see Delilah handle the production and the beats so confidently – something she’s said she has struggled with in the past. That being said, I personally would have liked to see a bit more interaction with the crowd.
Georgia
Now it was all about Georgia. Crowned the Association of Independent Music’s One to Watch and Mercury Prize shortlist nominee, she returned to the Brudenell Social Club after previously gracing the stage at just 17 years old.
Proving to be a jack-of-all trades, jumping between playing the drums, keyboard and guitar, Georgia gave the audience a spellbinding performance. She brought new life into her back catalogue of 80’s inspired synth-pop, playing tracks from her latest album ‘Euphoric’ and 2020’s ‘Seeking Thrills’. Despite focusing on the newer material, a certain standout for myself was her vibe switch to ‘Digits’ from her self-titled debut.
Since playing high-profile festivals such as Glastonbury in 2019, she has gone from strength to strength. The performance isn’t limited to festivals and concerts, either – she recently performed in BBC’s Live Lounge, singing her own version of Groovejet’s ‘If This Ain’t Love’, as well as her own song ‘Give it Up For Love’.
Georgia held her stage presence well – she made it clear this was something that came as second nature to her. It would be easy to try and attribute her musical prowess to hereditary disposition, being the daughter of Leftfield cofounder Neil Barnes, but Georgia has cut her teeth working as a drummer for the likes of Kwes and Kate Tempest, and her high energy set tonight reflected a masterful ability as a live performer.
I was transfixed on her drummer the whole way through – she didn’t miss a single beat, and when they played together it seemed so cohesive, well-rehearsed and, again, just completely effortless. They were also a band member down, but Georgia and her drummer were left unshaken and held their own as a two piece.
Georgia managed to get everyone up and dancing and she attracted a crowd of mixed age and gender, and everyone got involved and had a boogie.
It was amazing seeing confident women dominating the stage from start to finish and letting their presence be well and truly known.
Photography by Lewis Hart. Main image: Georgia.