September Round-Up: Live Music, New Songs & Petty in Pink
September was a busy month of live music, new songs and exciting steps towards the release of my new album, Petty in Pink.
From performing in London to returning to Bath, a city that holds some very special memories for me, it was a month that brought together a lot of different parts of my life as a UK country-pop singer-songwriter.
Supporting Lucy Blu in London
The month began at The Water Rats in London, where I had the pleasure of supporting Lucy Blu and her band on the final night of their UK tour.
I played two brand new songs from Petty in Pink, which was a particularly exciting moment. There’s something very different about taking a song that has existed in your head and in the studio and suddenly performing it live for the first time.
The set, inevitably, went far too quickly!
Afterwards, I spent some time at the merch table meeting people who had come along to the show before getting the chance to watch Lucy Blu and her band take over the stage. It was a brilliant night of live music and a great way to start the month.
A Full-Circle Return to Bath
A few days later, I found myself back in Bath, this time to perform at Foodies Festival.
Bath is particularly special to me because I went to university there. Being back in the city for a show felt like a real full-circle moment, and I managed to take a walk around before the festival and revisit some of the places connected to some of my favourite memories.
Of course, nostalgia wasn't actually the reason we were in Bath, the festival was!
I performed an acoustic duo set with Yannick Van Riet, who also co-produced two songs on Petty in Pink. We performed the album's title track alongside a mixture of original songs and covers.
It was our final Foodies Festival show of the summer and, as we were opening the festival on a Friday afternoon just after the kids had gone back to school, the crowd was a little quieter than we might have hoped.
But that didn't stop us having fun.
Sometimes you have to make the most of whatever audience is in front of you, and Yannick and I had a brilliant time playing together, laughing and enjoying the opportunity to perform.
Getting Closer to Petty in Pink
September also felt significant because the new album is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality.
I've spent a huge amount of time writing, recording and developing Petty in Pink, so being able to start performing songs from the album live feels like an important new chapter.
The title track has now had its own little life outside the studio, and two more brand new songs have made their live debut. It's exciting and slightly surreal to know that music I've been working on for so long is finally beginning to make its way out into the world.
For me, that's one of the best things about being a touring singer-songwriter. The songs don't really belong to you anymore once you start playing them live. They become part of the conversation between you and the people listening.
Looking Ahead
September was a lovely reminder of why I love playing live.
There were big stages and smaller crowds, new songs and old memories, London nights and a return to a city that shaped an important part of my life.
Most importantly, it was another step towards Petty in Pink.
Thank you to everyone who came to a show, listened to a new song, visited the merch table, bought music or simply followed along with everything happening behind the scenes.
There's plenty more to come — and I can't wait to share it with you.
Keep an eye out for more live dates, new music and everything Petty in Pink.
