Veronica is what you get when you combine lighthearted girlish whimsy with the little mischievous-intentioned fairies dotted throughout your nightmares. This musician deals in glitter, lacey ribbons, as well as the occasional animal heart, and gore-laden fantasy. You’ll want her to stay and sing you beautiful lullabies which highlight the intricate steps necessary in reprimanding shitty exes, all the while deepening your understanding of what it means to be Just A Girl.
I arrived in Brighton after a busy workday to review and shoot the show, ‘only a one hour train’, I thought. Though I’ve attended Veronica’s performances previously, this would be the first time I’d be witnessing her on stage accompanied by a full band. My phone wasn’t connecting properly as I stood outside trying to imagine the area in-app as I reviewed the venue’s location on Google Maps that prior week. I recalled it being just an eight-ish minute walk from the station, so I started walking in the direction I reckoned made the most sense. I arrived at The Folklore Rooms with little difficulty and made my way up the staircase, Veronica’s glittery siren-esque voice beckoning me up.
Appearing at the top of the stairs – I waited until she saw me. Only then did Veronica let out a series of excited yelps and laughter as she paraded me to the side of the room in better view of the soundcheck. Afterward I found myself outside, chatting with her bandmates as she applied her stage makeup at a table in the smoking area. Slightly shivering between shimmer applications, she took occasional breaks between bites of red bean mochis. Those of which she specifically grabbed as a pre-show snack from the international shop across the street.
Accompanying her performance were musicians Lucy Darke and Mookie which blew the audience well out of the water. Lucy’s feminine yet prominent vocals were matched by meticulously on-it band mates. Mesmerising the audience, her bright red hair shone under the stage lights. Following her set, Mookie, self described as Spiritual Folk/ Americana Rock took the stage. Commanding the room, their 5 member band exuded a smile-stretching sound that had the whole venue on their feet and dancing exuberantly.
The Folklore Rooms was the perfect venue for the night’s unravelings as guests jumped, sang, and laughed in tandem. All of us joyful in the presence of an all women-lead musical lineup. Veronica and her band closed the evening with a series of songs that left the venue stuck in. Like that of a sailor’s ship bewilderingly floating toward the alluring musicalities of congregating sirens, the band called out to us. The audience savoured every last note like their lives depended on it… And in some cases like when ‘Hurt You Most’ echoed against wood panels, it felt like they did.
I spent the majority of the evening just a few feet from the stage. Sitting on the floor directly in front of Veronica, I contorted my frame to get the best angles… But as the evening descended upon me and train times inched closer to final journeys, I snuck away to pack my things and evade the rush to return to London. From the back of the venue, it became clear: the room was engulfed by Veronica’s musical starpower and irrevocably intoxicating stage presence.
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Words & Photographer: Lauren Bulla