Caitlin - LIVE REVIEW

Caitlin is described as Neo-soul - with the gritty, raw emoting in her powerful vocals. Growing up in New Forest, Hampshire, Caitlin van den Bogaerde was classically trained in jazz, flute, guitar and piano. By 16, she was already performing live at London jazz clubs.It’s been around a month since I got the chance to see her on her mini UK tour and less than that since she released her debut album Why’s Everybody So Serious?

Watching her perform was a particularly beautiful experience. It was in The Copper Bar - the bar attached to Band On The Wall. I really enjoyed the venue, it felt intimate and cozy with a captivated audience all there to experience the same thing: a nice music experience. Which is exactly what Caitlin gave us.

She manages to have the power and soul to set fire to any emotion she sees fit. She wants us to smile, she can make the audience clap their hands and bounce to her fun songs and if she wants us to cry, she’ll go to the very depths of her soul to get us there. Her song ‘Crocodile tears’ got everyone in the crowd bouncing and jumping. Her more sultry songs such as “I don’t care about you” had everyone swaying side to side, simply closing their eyes and feeling the music. She playfully swayed, herself, gliding around the stage with a cute type of grace and quirky friendliness.

Her band were all equally talented, each member a strand in the web that creates not just a sound but a feeling. Everyone’s talent and passion was such a joy to watch and made the experience that much more enjoyable.

I even met some of Caitlin’s friends after the show, who had known Caitlin from working together at their music focussed school. Caitlin has been studying Jazz and music for years and it shows. She has managed to slowly climb her way up to be able to tour, perform and release albums. It almost feels like a movie about hard work and dedication. Keep your eye out for Caitlin.