LUVCAT – RESIDENT, BRIGHTON 15.10.25
As part of an eight date record store tour to promote her much-desired debut album ‘Vicious Delicious’, Luvcat arrived at Brighton’s Resident on Wednesday. The album is described as a “glam-soaked fever dream where love, lust, and lunacy collide”. Unfortunately, the artist and her team wish to approve our photographers shots and those for Resident, which is rather unusual for an instore performance, bearing in mind that Luvcat’s fans are feet away and taking photos and videos on their phones. We have yet to hear back and so rather than running the review without any pictures, we have selected some previously unseen ones of her appearance at this year’s ‘Victorious Festival‘ in Southsea on 23rd August which did not require approval. If, and when, approval arrives, we might swap the photos.
Luvcat is the theatrical alt-pop persona of Liverpool-born Sophie Morgan Howarth. For her instore show, she was joined by two musicians on keyboards and guitar. The main themes in her songs revolve around dark romance, desire, and emotional intensity. Her haunting sound blends noir cabaret, alt-pop, and theatrical storytelling, with a playful seductive darkness and a gritty, raw edge.
Back to Wednesday evening’s show. Arriving early, I found a long queue had already formed along Kensington Gardens, with many fans adopting elements of their favourite artist’s look. More on that later.
Inside the packed record store, Luvcat opened with ‘Lipstick’ which was an introduction to her sultry, cabaret allure, with its theatrical flair, emotional depth, and noir-pop seduction. This was reflected in her mesmerising voice with its tempting haunting quality. She introduced ‘Alien’ as about feeling a misfit, which began with a melancholy feel and hints of a more folk-like sound.
In between songs Luvcat retold anecdotes, some of which were about Brighton. She recalled how three of her favourite shows, including a Great Escape appearance, were in Brighton, a city she affectionately described as “always having a magical witchy feel”. She also remembered when she was a waitress, her then boyfriend played Brighton and brought her back a Resident tote bag, which she still has.
‘Matador’, her debut single about nights out in her home city of Liverpool, had a theatrical dramatic feel even in its stripped back form for an instore show. Luvcat’s signature blend of femme-fatale allure and tortured emotional vulnerability shone through. After ‘Matador’ Luvcat declared it was time to play a love song, or as she added “Sex tape love song as I like to call it.” Well, it does contain the lyrics “Let’s make a movie … Lеt’s make love and lots of money, baby”. Starting as almost a solo by Luvcat with her acoustic guitar, it featured a stunning keyboard section.
I was not the only one to notice several in the crowd had copied elements of Luvcat’s look. She commented “I see lots of leopard print. I love it.” A few people had also streaked their hair with a flash of colour imitating Luvcat.
Next up was the title track of her album ‘Vicious Delicious’ about a hell raiser who’d swing from chandeliers. It returned to the theme of torn emotions and dangerous love, with the chorus including the lyrics “… you’re so vicious; But my goodness, you’re so delicious”. It started as a low-key narrative, soaring later with pain and emotion in her voice, reflecting the song’s sentiment. Luvcat explained that the following track ‘Blushing’ which was written when playing pub venues, wasn’t originally going to make the album. But being a band and fans favourite, they reworked it remembering the wild ride over the last few years. There was a change in style on this soft ballad about having a massive crush on somebody.
The vicious side of ‘Vicious Delicious’ was to the fore on ‘He’s My Man’ a reworked collaboration with John Cooper Clarke. It had a starker cinematic opening with Luvcat’s vocals effortlessly changing from soft to more forthright. Luvcat was on her feet for her closing song ‘Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel’. This song about wanting someone to take you out to dinner at a posh restaurant, had more of a jazz feel. There was a sassy cheekiness in her voice as she moved to the rise and fall of the tune. She invited the crowd to join in on the chorus, which many did, rather well I should add. It was a great way to close a memorable show, and perfectly summed up the connection between the artist and her audience. What an outstanding, enticing evening in the company of a true performer.
Luvcat’s debut album ‘Vicious Delicious’ is set for release on 31st October, 2025, a fitting Halloween drop for her glam-goth creativity. If you’re in Brighton pop down to Resident in Kensington Gardens, North Laine for a copy or order it online HERE or from HERE.
Luvcat setlist:
‘Lipstick’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
‘Alien’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
‘Matador’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
‘Love & Money’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
‘Vicious Delicious’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
‘Blushing’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
‘He’s My Man’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
‘Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel’ (from 2025 ‘Vicious Delicious’ album)
