A singer and storyteller who touches her audience with her gentle soul
WORDS AND IMAGE BY FAY BARRETT
Fresh from a three-month tour supporting Ed Sheeran, Cat Burns graced the stage at Koko Camden, on Tuesday night (4 October), with a stunning performance of lyrical beauty and a whole lot of heart.
The entire show was an exquisite mix of beautifully blended vocals and Cat’s on point, oh so relatable lyrics.
Taking to the stage with her band, all dressed in matching white cricket vests, Cat’s gentle soul was as much on display as her gorgeous talent.
She treated us to a set including Ghosting, Fuckboy, We’re Not Kids Anymore and, Go. For the fourth song, she played Free, explaining it was about being gay and what she wished she could say to her younger self. It’s my new queer anthem.
A surprise homage to music legend Ed Sheeran was a lovely touch.
Then there was the heart stoppingly beautiful Jodie, a song written and performed for her “beautiful girlfriend”, who was in the audience. Tears were prickling in my eyes as Cat, sat on the steps, centre stage, and serenaded her love. Telling us this song was “about their love and queer love in general”, she sang “I wake up every morning with these green eyes (…) When the nights grow cold, your heart is safe with me.” I was completely gone.
As if that wasn’t enough, we got to hear her brilliant new single People Pleaser and additional track Sleep At Night.
Unsurprisingly, for an artist who’s given us tracks like Anxiety, and self-esteem (both gorgeously performed on stage), Cat talked candidly about her own self-doubt. She said she often doesn’t think she’s good enough but that this show had given her more self-belief. To which her adoring audience cheered. That’s the gift with her personality and music. She connects with us through our shared vulnerabilities. It’s rare to see an artist straddling greatness while remaining oh so humble and grounded.
This is an artist who truly cares about her fans and the queer community. Arriving at the venue, audience members could help themselves to free pronoun badges and “Cat-zine” magazines. It was a lovely touch making everyone feel seen and held. This theme continued throughout the show.
In a voice over message, played before the set, she talked about wanting this to be a safe space for everyone. Later in the show she spoke of how crazy it was to be in this room and thanked everyone for spending their “hard earned money” on tickets.
Watching Cat, you’re half in awe of her talent, knowing she is clearly “the next big thing” and half wanting to have her as your bestie.
Cat is a singer and storyteller who touches her audience with her gentle soul and a poetry that’s as real as it is magical.
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