Haunting harmonies and ethereal synths are enough to command any room, of any size. Nottingham's Metronome offers alt-pop duo Lets Eat Grandma the perfect intimate space to unleash such musical splendour. Jodie Averis was there to witness their triumphant performance that championed their unbreakable friendship and sisterhood.
When asked 'what genre of music do Lets Eat Grandma make?', putting them into a box is notoriously difficult. The Norwich pair self-proclaim that their music is "experimental sludge pop", and I would also add that there are elements of psychedelia and synthwave. Whatever it is, exactly, is a beautiful amalgam of electronica, soaring vocal harmonies and and instrumentals.
Now, the Metronome is one of my favourite venues in the city. This is largely because of the intimacy that it allows; the four-hundred capacity is the ideal space for Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth - AKA Lets Eat Grandma - to play their atmospheric tracks for a sea of transfixed onlookers.
"Although childhood friends and not related, their chemistry and sisterhood was abundant."
Greeted by rapturous applause, Lets Eat Grandma entered the stage to In The Cemetery, a lyricless instrumental track taken from their recent third album, Two Ribbons. To enter the stage to such a track was a sublime way to begin the show, with it (quite literally) setting the stage for what was to come; an evening of atmospheric and moving music.
The setlist was littered with fan favourites, such as the effortlessly-danceable Hot Pink (which of course, featured the band illuminated in hot pink lighting), and Falling Into Me - which is found on the band's second album I'm All Ears, one that showcases some of the duo's best songwriting skills yet. Here, this is where Hollingworth played a saxophone solo, showcasing the versatility of the band's skills besides that of synth mastery.
Both Walton and Hollingworth have revealed that during their younger years, people used to mistake them for twin sisters. Although childhood friends and not related, their chemistry and sisterhood was abundant. In particular, there was a moment of tenderness shared between Walton and Hollingworth during Watching You Go, a track which features lyrics that attempt to grapple with our least favourite friend; grief. This was a heart-wrenching moment, given the context of Hollingworth still processing the tragic bereavement of her late boyfriend. Sisterhood and friendship, it seems, is at the forefront of everything that Lets Eat Grandma do. Spectral debut track Deep Six Textbook featured the pair performing a hand-clapping routine akin to childhood favourite 'patty cake' (come on, we all remember that one), with the duo displaying their whimsical side.
Closing the set were the most appropriate tracks; I Really Want to Stay at Your House and Donnie Darko. The former is a relatively new release from Walton, which has justly gained popularity after being featured in the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime. Unsurprisingly, this was where the crowd were most alive; dancing along in unison. The latter, an eleven minute long track, ended the show on that very same atmospheric note that they opened with.
Lets Eat Grandma's stellar performance at the Metronome left me with chills at many, many occasions. Was it the echoing of their chilling synths and basslines? Witnessing the purity of two friends just enjoying playing their music? Or perhaps, the delicate vocal harmonies that reverbrated around the little room? You and I both can assume, it was everything.
Jodie Averis
Cover image courtesy of NPR.
Comments