There’s something special about a gig at The Cluny 2, stripped-back, intimate, and raw, and on Saturday night, Casey McQuillen made the most of it. The American singer-songwriter might have spent much of this year touring arenas with Anastacia and Loreen, but in Newcastle she showed that her music doesn’t need a stadium to hit hard.
Opening with The One and Talk in My Head, McQuillen immediately showcased what she does best: catchy hooks wrapped around lyrics that cut straight to the gut. Her vocals were powerful but never overblown, and there was a grit to her delivery that fit perfectly in the Cluny’s basement room.
Songs like Favorite showed off another side of her artistry, sleek, emotive pop bolstered by backing track production but anchored by vocals that were raw, commanding, and full of feeling. It’s this duality that makes her such a fascinating performer: equally at home delivering stripped-down confessionals as she is belting out arena-ready choruses.
Equally powerful was Skinny. Before playing it, McQuillen spoke candidly about being told she should never name her album that, given the pressures she’d faced as a woman in the music industry. Now, standing on stage and singing it to thousands across the globe, the song has become an act of reclamation.
The night had plenty of big moments, but Better Than This was the one that stopped everyone in their tracks. With just an acoustic guitar, McQuillen turned the song into an anthem of defiance and self-belief. The crowd stood, clapping and singing along, and when she dropped the guitar completely to sing acappella, the room filled with awe. It was one of those rare goosebump moments that made the space feel electric.
Casey McQuillen has the polish of a pop star, but what shines brightest in a venue like this is her honesty. It’s rare to see a performer make a room feel so alive with both vulnerability and joy, and on this night in Newcastle, she nailed it.