Live Review: Lande Hekt and Tenderness at The Fulford Arms

A Special Monday Night in York

Monday nights at The Fulford Arms are fast becoming something truly special. Following a memorable performance by Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn just a few weeks prior, the venue recently played host to two exceptionally talented singer-songwriters: Lande Hekt and the solo project of Katy Beth Young, Tenderness. Both artists arrived in York with a shared history of band experience and a fresh collection of songs, proving that their creative trajectories are firmly on the rise.

Tenderness: An Assured Performance

It has been less than three months since Tenderness last graced a stage in York, yet her performance this time felt even more confident and refined. Her voice, resonant and clear, soared throughout the set. She opened with a poignant Appalachian folk song—a cover of Nora Brown’s ‘The Very Day I’m Gone’—before diving into material from her debut album, True. Her set navigated a diverse range of themes, from the modern anxieties of late-night text messaging in ‘Database Blues’ to the raw, full-on melancholy of ‘Saturday Morning,’ showcasing a versatility that spans indie-folk and country.

Lande Hekt: Balancing New and Old

Lande Hekt’s set was a masterclass in pacing, perfectly balancing her latest material with established fan favorites. Opening with ‘Kitchen II,’ the lead track from her third album Lucky Now, Hekt demonstrated why she remains a vital voice in the contemporary scene. She drew heavily from her latest record while also revisiting 2022’s House Without a View, including the heartfelt ode to her cat, ‘Lola,’ and the defiant ‘Gay Space Cadets.’ During the latter, her performance carried a strident, political energy reminiscent of Billy Bragg, highlighting their shared roots.

The Lucky Now tour marks Hekt’s first solo headline venture, and the York date served as a triumphant conclusion to this leg of the tour. Even without the fuller studio instrumentation of her recordings, songs like ‘Rabbits’ and ‘Favourite Pair of Shoes’ retained their quintessential pop spirit. It is a testament to her songwriting prowess that these tracks feel so immediate and infectious in a live setting.

A Political Edge

Beyond the pop sensibilities, Hekt also utilized her platform to address social issues, marking a return to the political songwriting she explored during her time in punk bands. ‘A Million Broken Hearts’ served as a powerful vehicle for her undiminished socialist beliefs, a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience. As the night concluded, it was clear that both Hekt and Tenderness are artists operating at the peak of their powers, leaving the York crowd with much to reflect upon.