The intimate United Free Church was the warm and welcoming venue for soulful songstress Kizzy Crawford’s Cowbridge Music Festival appearance. Not that Cowbridge Music Festival is the regular kind of shindig you’d find on the circuit, so Kizzy’s chilled vibe and eclectic set fitted well within a 10-day programme that incorporates jazz, classical and traditional Afghan music.
Kizzy has been a regular feature on the live music scene for some years now and a frequent presenter on S4C’s arts programmes – so she may be forgiven for showing a touch of the blasé. Not a bit: she was gracious, grateful and generous, her open personality endearing her to the small audience that all but filled the downstairs of the traditional chapel-like venue. Apart from feeling the need to apologise for the occasional crackle from her guitar lead, Kizzy was relaxed and confident and put the (largely older) audience at ease as she moved from acoustic, folkier material to incorporate loops and backing tracks into her hour-long set.
Live, Kizzy’s voice is free and expressive as she weaves jazz-tinged toplines over trip-hop loops that bring to mind 90s bands like Morcheeba mixed with Joni Mitchell melodies. And she moves as easily between Welsh and English as she does from acoustic guitar to bass, to wind controller – a funky-looking synth instrument that looks like a chunky electric clarinet. The only moments that jarred slightly were the two rap songs which Kizzy confidently described as opportunities for affirmation: a bit like giving yourself a good talking to in front of a crowd. But maybe these songs connected better with the few young children who were there who certainly got a lot out of seeing this inspiring talent perform on ground level, a few feet away from them.
Kizzy finished with the stunning Golden Brown, not the Strangler’s song but a well-worked rootsy number that showed off all the best elements of her set – bilingual, soul-folk, expressive and enchanting.
Sticking to the festival schedule, there were no encores, but Kizzy hung around to chat with anyone who wanted to get to know her better at the end of the gig. A real up close and personal performance in a small-town festival that continues to surprise.
United Free Church, Cowbridge, Sat 17 Sept
words and photos JOHN-PAUL DAVIES
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