Pennsylvania-born Zandi Holup has been carving out a niche for herself in country music with her folk-influenced, singer-songwriter style and raw, honest writing. She signed with Big Loud Records and released her debut single ‘Gas Station Flowers' last year, and made her UK debut in March with an acoustic set at C2C festival. Yesterday she returned to the UK as part of the lineup for BST Hyde Park, opening the day with her performance on the Rainbow Stage.
Holup kicked off her half-hour set with ‘Gas Station Flowers', accompanied by her two-piece band. The song really highlights her skill as a narrator as she draws out the details of her lover's petrol station purchases from their Quik Stop bag, as well as the emotion in her delivery. Her voice almost trembles as she sings and you can feel the conflict between knowing she's in a bad relationship but also being unwilling to throw in the towel. I also really liked the spoken word section on the bridge, which adds a point of difference and highlights just what a unique song this is, as well as the lushness added by her fiddle player. It's beautiful as an acoustic number but that really does lift it wonderfully.
For me Holup was at her best in the set when she showed her vulnerable side on songs such as ‘Dirty Wings', a heartfelt tale of opening up to love despite making mistakes in life – and one I defy you not to get teary over – and ‘Cowgirls Don't Cry', which doesn't so much tug your heartstrings as yank them out of your chest as she sings about trying to stay brave in the face of a breakup. A particular standout was ‘Mary Jane', the story of Holup's loved one who recently got sober after 15 years as a heroin addict. Holup is so good at painting a picture of this person, likening the drug to a toxic relationship, and by the end of the song you feel completely drawn in to the whole thing.
That said, it wasn't all doom and gloom either. ‘Find Less' had a quiet defiance about it as Holup sang about brushing off a partner who told her she was too much, and provided a nice change of pace in the set. I also really liked ‘Runs In The Family', which touches on Holup's family history and sees her open up about her shortcomings in a wry, slightly knowing manner, but whilst still being full of grace.
Holup wrapped things up with ‘Wildflower', which she introduced by talking about growing up and not having many friends before she learned to embrace who she was. There's a statement of intent about the song that's full of hope and it feels like something a lot of people will relate to, elevated by the sheer depth of emotion she poured into it – you really do feel like these songs are coming from her soul.
Overall Zandi Holup pulled off a set full of intrigue, with great songwriting skills on show and a lightness of touch that stayed on the right side of openness, paired with lush delicate vocals. It was a great introduction to her sound and the ideal way to ease into a sunny afternoon of music. I'm sure she won over plenty of new fans, and I can't wait to hear more from her and see her back over in the UK soon.
Set list: 1. Gas Station Flowers 2. Dirty Wings 3. Cowgirls Don't Cry 4. Runs In The Family 5. Mary Jane 6. Find Less 7. Wildflower Performance date: 4th July 2024
