Andrew Cushin
Lafayette, London
seventh October 2022
Andrew Cushin returns to Lafayette in London, full band in tow, to carry out a set of private but relatable songs that join instantly and immediately.
The final time Andrew Cushin performed Lafayette, it was simply him and an acoustic guitar supporting The Sheepdogs. Seven months, one EP, and three outside summer time spectacles with Paul Weller later, he’s headlining the venue with full band in tow. And but the emotional centrepiece of tonight’s present is a tune he performs alone.
Launched as probably the most private he’s ever written, 4 And A Half P.c makes use of the on a regular basis trivialities of habit (“he struggles to iron his garments”) to painting his father’s battle with alcohol. The tune’s turn out to be the beating coronary heart of his stay set, however Cushin nonetheless delivers it with the uncooked vulnerability of a first-time efficiency, an absence of self-pity solely including to the devastating influence of traces like “I’m nonetheless your son”.
The 22-year-old from Newcastle pours much more of himself into the set’s solely different almost-ballad, You’ll Be Free. Unencumbered by a guitar for the one time tonight, he clutches his head, clenches his fists, kilos his coronary heart, pokes his temple, and seems to lose himself in lyrics that contact on childhood traumas and psychological well being. Musically, although, the model new tune is uplifting sufficient that, though no one’s actually singing alongside but, nearly everybody within the venue’s clapping to the beat by the point the refrain arrives.
It’s yet one more instance of how Cushin, championed by Noel Gallagher and signed to Pete Doherty’s Strap Originals label, connects instantly and immediately with audiences. The stonking Hollywood is all-out swagger, fittingly opening the present with its chorus of “are you prepared?” The unstoppable runaway practice that’s Yeah Yeah Yeah rolls together with all of the vitality of a misplaced Undoubtedly Possibly outtake. Catch Me If You Can is a self-confident stomp large on groove, searing guitars, and sneering vocals. Subsequent single Dream For A Second is effortlessly impassioned. The hovering Ready For The Rain was seemingly written to be sung by a stadium crowd.
And, like his hometown’s different younger male singer-songwriter on the up and up, he can mix these large tunes — that, normally, set off impromptu dancing or, on the very least, a sea of raised arms and voices — with significant material that’s private but relatable. Anybody with regrets will admire the touching, however defiant, Recollections; It’s Gonna Get Higher pairs traces like “Nicely I’m low and I’m weak, And I’m sorry I take it out, On those that breathe, The closest to me” with the sunniest of choruses; and present nearer The place’s My Household Gone transforms from forlorn self-doubt and introspection into the night time’s greatest, most life-affirming singalong.
However it’s not simply Cushin’s songs that join so simply. Supremely relaxed on stage, he’s a pure conversationalist, whether or not speaking about his beloved soccer workforce (there’s even a Newcastle United flag draped over the keyboard stand); lightening the temper forward of 4 And A Half P.c (by joking that his being on the stage alone is the very best a part of the present); chatting on to notably vocal particular person viewers members; or graciously, genuinely, and repeatedly thanking everybody for turning as much as see him.
On the finish of the efficiency, as his four-piece band sure off, he stays behind for fist bumps, handshakes, smiles, and even selfies with everybody who pushes to the foot of the stage to bolster that private connection they’ve felt over the previous hour.
You’ll find Andrew Cushin on his web site in addition to Fb, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Phrases by Nils van der Linden. You’ll be able to go to his creator profile for Louder Than Struggle right here. He tweets as @nilsvdlinden and his web site is www.nilsvanderlinden.com.
Images by Simon Reed. His web site Musical Footage is right here and you’ll go to his creator profile for Louder Than Struggle right here. He tweets as @musicalpix.
