Lissie live in Leeds Review

Earlier in the day American singer-songwriter Lissie had spent the afternoon perched on a counter at Crash Records in Leeds meeting fans ahead of her sold-out show that evening. In town to support her recently released new album “Carving Canyons”, Lissie’s visit to Yorkshire is clearly a very welcome one given that the venue is packed before she’s even taken to the www.

The career of Illinois-born country-pop singer-songwriter Lissie stretches back to 2009 during which time she’s supported likes of Lenny Kravitz and carved a career out as a firm favourite in the indie/country-pop scene. She kicks off the set with the brilliant “Unravel”, the opening track from her new album and, from that moment, she has the room under her spell.

Peddling a delightful mix of country, pop, indie and folk, it’s easy to see why the singer regularly gets compared to the likes of Stevie Nicks, Shania Twain and Sheryl Crow. Her songs like “Best Days” and “Don’t You Give Up On Me”, the latter incluing a snippet of the Kate Bush hit “Running Up That Hill”, are soaked up by her Yorkshire fans and, as the headliner recalls her time at Crash Records earlier in the day, it’s apparent she is as in love with the city as the crowd are with her.

It’s not all been good times for the singer though as she chats about the personal challenges she faced in 2020 when recording “Carving Canyons”. Having lived through the range of emotions from grieving to sad, a hopeful Lissie informs the crowd that time does heal. As well as being living proof of this, the experiences have provided Lissie with a raft of inspiration for songs like “Sad” and “Hero”.

Like her music, the live show encompasses every quality Lissie has as an artist. The set features songs that are energetic alongside moments that are thought-provoking and clearly very personal. Combine it all together in the intimate surroundings of the Wardrobe and you have all the ingredients for what was a truly special night for all involved.

Set List
Unravel
Sleepwalking
Flowers
Best Days
Don’t You Give Up On Me
Oh Mississippi
Sad
Hero
Further Away
Chasing The Sun
Carving Canyons
Lonesome Wine
When I’m Alone
In Sleep
Nightmoves

Encore
Everywhere I Go
Little Lovin’