NEEV – THE FOLKLORE ROOMS, BRIGHTON 29.3.25
The intimate space of Brighton’s magical Folklore Rooms was filled by quite the presence last night as Neev took the stage with her six piece acoustic band for the launch of their latest album ‘How Things Tie In Knots’. It’s the sort of venue where you turn up to see an artist for the first time trusting the bookers to have done their research, and once again we came away delighted.
Neev (Niamh Danes) is a Glasgow raised singer songwriter now based in London, with a huge gift for storytelling, narrative and drama. She moves seamlessly from intimate lyrics, delivered in her distinctive Scottish accent, to full on fierce lungs belting choruses, filling the venue with melodious sound. Her band are incredibly proficient, three of the instrumentalists doubling as backing singers, which brings so many different harmony combinations. Of particular note were Tabby Barbera whose sparse but perfectly timed banjo added a new sound texture and Duncan Carswell whose inventive use of the symbol brought out the melody and emphasized each theme. We particularly enjoyed the final track ‘A Sad Tightrope’, also the closing number on the new album, which built energetically and had great control.
The gig is accompanied by an exhibition of works by Lalionne, a locally based artist, each piece created to illustrate the mood of a track from this latest release, giving further insight into the band and their processes. We’re told about funny things that have happened at gigs, misinterpretations of song lyrics, recent triumphs, this is a band who know who they are. The pervading memory however is of Neev herself, her powerful voice with a clear message, getting herself known in a small venue and building a strong following. The band are professional, authentic, and proud to be doing their own thing. It’s a genuine privilege to watch. We hope this is the next step of an amazing career and based on this evidence, there is no reason to think otherwise.
All credit to The Folklore Rooms for their continued support of this emerging scene and the value they give to both the acts they book and those of us lucky enough to attend.
Neev:
Niamh Danes – vocals, guitar
Tabby Barbera – banjo, guitar, backing vocals
Maz McMillan – guitar, backing vocals
Alex Cambridge – keys, backing vocals
Alex Reed – bass guitar
Duncan Carswell – drums
Neev setlist:
‘Dianne’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
‘I Put It In A Frame’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
‘Stubborn Heads’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
‘He Built Himself’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
‘Green’ (from 2023 ‘Katherine’ album)
‘The House’ (from 2023 ‘Katherine’ album)
‘Keep Low’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
‘There’s Two’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
‘My Own Back’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
‘A Sad Tightrope’ (from 2025 ‘How Things Tie in Knots’ album)
