Live Review: Matilda Mann – 9th October 2024 – Lafayette, London, UK

Wednesday night saw Matilda Mann take to the stage at London’s Lafayette in aid of War Child. Opening the evening were two acoustic acts, Ella Jinks and Liang Lawrence, the former’s voice soaring over the beautiful arrange acoustic guitar, while the latter did much the same but embellished and enhanced with long stories behind each song. Her latest single Backseat has become Radio One’s track of the Week at the time of releasing this article, and there was no denying the tune’s catchiness and beauty.

Liang’s appreciation for the night as well as their hosts was matched by the two ambassadors for War Child – one being CEO Hellen Pattinson – who came out to talk briefly on the charities efforts, where to donate, and to celebrate the shows being hosted under their ‘Day of the Girl’ campaign. Every year in October since 2021, War Child have organised shows made up entirely of female acts to coincide with International Women’s Day. It was a touching moment for all in the room, and reminded everyone that what they had attended was more than just a show.

A little after nine, Matilda bounced onto the stage behind her band and kicked off her set with Paper Mache World, a suitably mid-tempo opener. After, see announced herself to the crowd, asking confidently “who’s seen The Office?” Thankfully, the majority of the audience cheered. “Good! Those who haven’t…shame.” The joke led to song Stranger (For Now), inspired in part by Jim and Pam’s relationship in the US version of the sitcom. New single Say It Back barrelled along, while brand new song Tell Me That I’m Wrong came with a caution. “Cover your ears if it goes wrong!” Luckily, it seemed to go without a hitch.

The Day That I Met You was played as an oldie but “still a favourite”, while Meet Cute came with an impassioned thank you to everyone involved in the night. Matilda admitted that a song about standing someone up could have come at a more opportune moment, but the result was greeted with admiration all the same. With the promise of more new songs and the reminder that her debut album is out on the 28th of February next year, she joked that “I’ve been working on it since I was 4.” Nevertheless, a long time in the making, and it showed in the songwriting. At The End Of The Day with its gorgeous harmonised guitars, and later Dazed And Confused, an upbeat downer that “has nothing to do with the film.”

Japan and Doomsday became instant highlights for the super fans in the front row, as it the fantastic rendition of Margaux. Another unreleased track, See You Later, rather fittingly ended the main set, the band returning for an encore of Bloom. After comparing encores to “peek-a-boo for adults,” Matilda had more than enough time in her fast-paced set to thank everyone and tell people of her planned headline tour next year. “Tell everyone you know!” We definitely will be.

Set List:
Paper Mache World
Stranger (For Now)
Say It Back
Tell Me That I’m Wrong
The Day That I Met You
The Loch Ness Monster
Meet Cute
At The End Of The Day
Japan
Doomsday
Dazed and Confused
Margaux
See You Later

Encore:
Bloom

Ryan Bulbeck

Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.