Review: Ruth Lyon

Review: Ruth Lyon

Ruth Lyon at the Glasshouse: A Night of Raw Emotion and Connection

Invited| Review by V.Brewster

From The Glasshouse 3/10/24

The intimacy of Gateshead’s Glasshouse was the perfect setting for Ruth Lyon’s heartfelt performance, blending personal anecdotes, sharp humour, and activism into an evening of emotional resonance. As the show kicked off with Stone, the ear-soothing chorus and vivid riff immediately drew the crowd’s attention. Her husky, soft vocals carried a warmth that was both gentle and commanding, creating a space where the audience felt invited into her world.

Throughout the evening, Lyon’s ability to fuse her music with personal emotion was evident. As she later explained to me when I caught up with her after the show, her songwriting process varies depending on how she feels at the time. “Sometimes I’ll come up with some piano thing and then add words, and other times, I write a poem first and build music around it. It really depends on how emotional I feel,” she said. This balance of musical intuition and lyrical depth was on full display throughout her set.

Midway through, she introduced Trouble with her characteristic wit, mentioning some lyrics “I’ve never been into cars”. However, Ruth had in fact passed her driving test earlier that week (something she’d previously not thought it possible to do), and humorously announces she’s now “very much into cars”. The song, which she described as being about “causing havoc to create change,” embodies her activist spirit. Lyon isn’t just an artist; she’s an advocate, using her platform to challenge societal norms and engage her audience in deeper thought. As she told me after the show, “I like people to feel something, whether it’s the emotion I felt when I was writing the song or something completely different. I want people to go away impacted in some way.”

One of the standout moments was her live debut of Cover, a new track from her upcoming album. Despite its fresh nature, Lyon’s delivery was as effortless as ever. The audience quickly embraced the new song, thanks to the easy, conversational rapport she established. It felt like we were all mates in her kitchen, having a chat and a cuppa.

Speaking of Ríoghnach Connolly, whose band Honeyfeet were headlining at The Glasshouse that evening, in true Ruth Lyon style, she joked about fangirling over Rioghnach so hard when they met last year, that she surprised even herself. “Thanks for asking me to play a show with you and for not filing a restraining order” – a testament to her humour and down-to-earth nature despite her growing acclaim.

The performance of Flood, a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever felt “othered”, welcomed instrumentalist extraordinaire Tommy Arch (who plays bass in her band) to the stage to accompany Ruth on guitar.  It’s a song that Lyon treasures performing with her band, as it embodies her celebration of difference and resilience. “It feels like a call to arms, a celebration for anyone who has ever felt underestimated,” she told me, her passion shining through as she reflected on the track. Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, Flood was a perfect statement of strength and unity, leaving the crowd feeling both uplifted and reflective.

Ruth’s ability to engage with her audience goes beyond her music. It’s about the emotional depth she brings to the stage, her candid reflections, and her willingness to challenge both herself and those around her. During our post-show chat, she reflected on what drives her as an artist, both musically and personally: “I always like it when people cry – although you can’t do that on demand – but mostly, I just want them to feel something. Whether it’s happy, sad, or moved in some way, I want them to walk away with an impact.”

When asked about her influences, she didn’t just point to other musicians but spoke about the natural world around her. “Sometimes it’s birds, or the rhythm of waves. I’ll hear something in nature and try to replicate that rhythm in an instrumental way,” she shared, offering a glimpse into the unique creative process that shapes her music.

It was clear throughout the night that Ruth Lyon’s performances are deeply personal, informed by both her identity and her activism. As a disabled artist, she’s faced her share of challenges. “Being underestimated is difficult, and it can lead to underestimating yourself,” she confided. But her resilience shines through, both in her music and in her presence on stage. As she said, “Being different is something to celebrate.”

By the end of the night, Ruth Lyon had not just performed – she had created an experience. Her show was a testament to the power of vulnerability, humour, and strength. It left the audience feeling as though they had shared something deeply personal with her, and in doing so, they walked away feeling a little more connected, a little more understood, and perhaps even a little more empowered.

Ruth’s EP Direct Debit to Vogue is available everywhere now, with a debut album soon to appear on the horizon!

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