Manchester's The Deaf Institute was the legendary venue for Fancy Hagood’s ‘Fly Away' headline show, with support from the absolute Camden star Simeon Hammond Dallas, who opened with her engaging vocals, spot-on lyrical storytelling, and upbeat sense of humour. Parting ways with her record label in 2017, when they suggested her name was too long, the independent artist captivated the intimate Mancunian music venue through a six song setlist. I don’t normally mention an artist’s outfit choice, but Simeon proudly showed off her sparkly heels (which complemented the venue’s mirror ball perfectly), and, well, her personality.
Back to the music; Simeon’s fearless songwriting was made for Nashville, the town where she wrote ‘Do I Die?’ her latest single. She talked us through firing her band for their racist attitudes in ‘Betting On You’ a juxtaposition of images with the lyrics “I fell in love with two dozen white boys…these boys only get you so far/they say who do you think you are?” Ex-relationships, and their geography, were examined in ‘August’ and the blues given a humorous modern makeover in ‘The Blues Is A Game’ an antidote for people with perhaps more mouth than ears. If you can’t make the Glasgow gig, catch Simeon Hammond Dallas at ‘The Round Up – The Writer’s Round' on 7th November. Read more about Simeon’s music and inspirations.
Setlist: 1. Wild Woman 2. Come My Way 3. Do I die? 4. Betting On You 5. August 6. The Blues Is A Game
Just before half nine, the Nashville-based headline artist Fancy Hagood quietly walked onto the hardwood stage with his guitar and promptly belted out my favourite song from the ‘Southern Curiosity' album, ‘Don't Blink’; I love the lyric, “don’t blink or you could miss it/slow dancing in the kitchen’ because it reminds me to slow down, in order not to miss the small acts in ordinary living. Later in the night Fancy referenced releasing the album in 2021, during lockdown, and joked ‘who does that?' For music fans, it doesn’t even matter what decade good music is released. And when an album is this good it’s an easy decision to press the repeat button, even in 2024.
Hagood shared new music from his upcoming album ‘American Spirit'. ‘Ever Really Ready' a question asked honestly about our capacity and fear of love, set to trademark hypnotic and melodic vocals. A cheeky disclaimer was thrown out to his Dad, who was in the crowd, ahead of the content in current single ‘Losing Game', a ballad that builds into a waltz of emotion, twirling and spinning listeners into a safe space of life’s tough, but it’s going to be okay.
Hagood’s songwriting and voice is a balm for the frenetic pace of life, honed from personal and professional difficulties and through them all an unshakeable love for music. Like the absolute stunner of a therapeutic song, ‘Through' about the overwhelm in dark times, that we can keep bottled up with a screwed-tight lid, when actually the catharsis is in going through the experience. The song is performed with a light hand, with a choral, enlightening experience, Hagood’s register guiding you through to that moment of clarity when you ‘wake up laughing and ask yourself did that really happen?’.
The new album (‘American Spirit' released in October 2024) is a self-confessed story about the healing power of music and good friendships, beautifully celebrated in ‘Soulmates’ (a term for platonic friends, Hagood quipped, not just for lovers) and written with authentic friends. Caitlyn Smith, after hours of chat with a melting-down Hagood, was there for the forty-five minutes it took to nail the song, ‘Through’. And though tight-lipped last night, and with manager Natalie in the room, Hagood indicated some great features on the upcoming album.
Highlights of the evening included a warm sense of fun and storytelling in between songs, and kindness, sharing the idea that if life is getting to you, it's just a season. Hagood’s performance was authentic, relaxed, good-emotional and full of love, for the people in the room and the country he feels both at home and inspired in. Hagood’s generosity saw him take to the floor for the encore, heading towards the people at the back of the venue. You could have heard a pin drop as Hagood dropped an effortless ‘Landslide’, the Fleetwood Mac cover on his ‘Smothered, Covered and Fried EP' and ‘Fly Away’ the tour title and new album track.
Each time I listen to a Hagood song about heartbreaking moments, I’m mesmerised by the power of his upbeat vocals and music that elevates a potential sad song until your own emotions soar skyward. I’ve also just realised that my two key songs (‘Don’t Blink' and ‘Through') have a great ooh-ooh moment. Is that so we can sing, ooh-ooh, Fancy?
Setlist: 1. Don’t Blink 2. Ever Really Ready 3. Losing Game 4 Isn't That life 5. Navy Blue 6. The Chase 7. Forest 8. Soulmates 9. Through 10. Southern Curiosity
Floor encore: 11. Landslide 12. Fly Away Venue: The Deaf Institute, Manchester Date: Wednesday 11th September 2024
