There is a wave of kick-ass women leading the way in a British punk movement at this moment in time. Along with acts like Nova Twins and Wargasm, Cassyette is bringing rock back to the mainstream along with collaborating with other established acts like Frank Carter. On the second night of her sold out tour, the queue stretches down the famous Womanby Street and it’s filled with the most wonderful and varied array of people you could see at a gig. It’s clear to she that she has widespread appeal and what’s even more apparent is that she has allowed people to be comfortable in who they are and what they wear. You hear people telling others they’ve never met before that “You look amazing!” and the whole atmosphere just feels like positive vibes all around; it’s refreshing in a way.
Across the hour long set, there’s not a part of her discography to this date so far that isn’t covered. We also get a glimpse into her upcoming “Sad Girl Mixtape” due to come out later this year. Opening with “Picture Perfect” warms the crowd up from the off in what is already an increasingly sweaty room. Things however move up a gear with early single “Dear Goth” and we get a real taste of what to expect for the rest of the evening. It’s a song that encapsulates that hybrid of modern pop along with rock. The verses are gentle and melodic, before that distorted guitar chorus comes in and feels as though you are falling down the rabbit hole. That’s not to mention those deathly growls that come in second half with that dropped beat. There’s a similar feeling during “Behind Closed Doors” which is the first of many times in the night where the pit is asked to be opened up and the crowd are only more than willing to oblige.
What is evident is how much of a crossover appeal there is across the board. If you want a bit of classic straight up rock, then you have the sublime new single “September Rain” which is probably the strongest material she has released to date. To match its epic sound, one needs to have the range in order to hit those notes and it certainly does strike a chord. In comparison Her cover of Lil Peep’s “Falling Down” as made popular from Tiktok gets a full outing and gives the active crowd a chance to catch their breath for a moment.
She cites Alicia Moore better known as Pink as the artist that she looks up to most. From the show tonight I think it’s fair to say that there is a very close comparison. Whether it’s from the spunky stage presence or the even to the similarities in her voice; it genuinely feels like what you would imagine a rockier version of the aforementioned pop artist and I mean that as a bold compliment. It’s probably most prominent on “Mayhem” as she thrusts the mic into the crowd getting them to sing along. Following on is “Sad Girl Summer” which feels like a pure slice of pop punk and one of the many times where the entire floor appears to be bouncing on their feet.
“Like That” has been doing the live rounds for a few years now and still fizzes with the same energy from everyone on stage. However it’s probably “Dead Roses” that gets the biggest reaction and response the entire night. Brooking is found constantly bopping her head to the beat or if not singing right into the faces of the front rows. One thing is for sure is that you can tell that everyone is living their best lives at this time.
I still remember my introduction to Cassyette. I rarely listen to the radio these days. However, upon hearing “Petrichor” for the first time, I was driving in my car and had already reached my destination but had to make sure that I stayed in my car to the end to find out who this tour de force was coming through my speakers. Hearing it played tonight, that riff still hits in the same way and is a clear highlight of the gig.
Despite rattling through a multitude of songs, the crowd demand more much to the delight of the band. They return, surprised, to the stage to perform “Dear Goth” again, which is given even more vim and energy than the start of the night. I’ve been in Clwb Ifor Bach a lot of times before, but don’t recall the floor physically bouncing as much as it did during the encore. If there’s anything to come from this evening it’s the fact that Cassyette and her band are in it for the long run. This isn’t just some flash in the pan fad; it feels as though she is going places. Having already sold out this tour and booking herself onto the Sum 41/Simple Plan gigs later this year; Cassyette is a name you are going to be hearing for a long time to come.