By late 2019, Freya Ridings had become one of the most talked-about singer-songwriters in the UK. Songs such as Lost Without You had introduced her to a huge audience and her reputation as a live performer was growing rapidly. While recorded music can tell you a lot about an artist, there are some singers whose talent becomes even more obvious when you hear them in a room full of people. Freya Ridings falls firmly into that category.
One of the challenges of running a site like BillyWatson.tv is deciding when to document a concert and when to simply enjoy it. Most of the time I arrive armed with cameras and spend a significant part of the evening thinking about footage, photographs and content for the website. On this occasion I decided to do the opposite. Rather than standing at the back filming, I made a conscious decision to experience the show as a fan.
It was absolutely the right decision at the time.
The only problem was that the concert turned out to be so good that afterwards I found myself wishing I had filmed more of it. That’s often the way. You tell yourself you’re going to leave the camera alone, then the artist exceeds expectations and suddenly you’re regretting not capturing more of the performance.
What I remember most is the atmosphere in the room. Freya Ridings has the sort of voice that demands attention without ever feeling forced. Whether delivering an intimate piano ballad or something more expansive, she has an ability to connect emotionally with an audience that can’t really be taught. Looking around the venue, it was obvious that plenty of people felt the same way.
Emma certainly did.
The videos and photographs below may only tell part of the story, but they capture a memorable evening with an artist whose rise felt thoroughly deserved. Sometimes it’s nice to leave the camera alone, enjoy the moment and simply appreciate a great concert.
The Photos
Cheers!
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