Two weeks out from the release of Amulet, her second album, Xenya Genovese brought Freak Slug to the Grand Social for what felt less like a warm up show and and more like a reminder of just how good this band are. The Manchester artist has spent the last year growing at a pace that few artists manage without losing what made them interesting in the first place, and a sold out Grand Social Ballroom was ready to meet her where she was.
Local legend Annie-Dog opened, the Dublin DIY artist doing what she does best. Live mixing all the parts of her songs from scratch, she had the room bopping along early and kept it there. A setlist that moved through “My Honey,” “Pressures of the Heart,” and “Double Cherry” before closing on “Please Forgive Me, David Gray” showed off her great catalogue and the perfect precursor for what was to come. A warm and well chosen opener.
When Freak Slug took the stage the temperature shifted. With her live band, Genovese moved through a 14 song set that leaned heavily into Amulet, road testing most of the record two weeks before it lands. Tracks like “Serpent,” “Wishing Bone,” “Black Eyes,” and “Girl, Intentions” sat comfortably alongside catalogue favourites, and what came across most was how cohesive the new material already felt in a live setting. “Penny Drops” and “If I Could” gave the set an emotional centre, while “Honest Man” brought the crowd in close, everyone clapping along, the room finding its rhythm together. By the time “Radio” arrived, the crowd knew every word and made sure she felt it. The night closed on “Spells,” Genovese ditching the guitar and moving to the front of the stage, the crowd responding as if they were waiting for it all night.
Annie-Dog photos & set-list:
Set-list:
My Honey
Pressures of the Heart
Double Cherry
Please Forgive Me, David Gray
Freak Slug photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Ya Ready
Sexy Lemon
Girl Intentions
Be Your Girl
Penny Drops
Friday
If I Could
Serpent
Wishing Bone
Black Eyes
Honest Man
Radio
Miss June
Spells
Photos & words – Cian O’Donnell @cianod6