Belfast alternative pop singer/songwriter Rebekah Fitch was the star of last night’s Virtual show organised by Fluttertone and dootdoot Records. With her merch strategically placed on the wall behind her and basked in golden-hued lighting the multi-instrumentalist takes her place ready to perform. The first bars of ‘Another Show’ which opens her set, displays her soulful R&B voice which is a shock to the system – pitch-perfect and masterfully balanced between angel-like sweetness and powerfully demanding. She weaves a few lines from Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ into the crescendo before bringing the track to a hair-raising finale. It is a fantastic opening song, and the rest of Fitch’s set only gets better and better.
Utilizing loops, drum machine and keys Fitch provides a knockout set with a full uncompromising sound. Virtual once again pulls in another outstanding tech genius to perform and boy does it make a difference. There is something special about an acoustic set but it’s these engaging live performances filled with a full bodied sound that ignite the platform.
Fitch makes music composition look easy as she wonderfully blends flute melodies into alternative pop and R&B tracks.This clash of earthy almost classical pop with contemporary allows Fitch to create a collection of compelling music to delight listeners with. ‘Guns With Guns’ is the most acoustic we see Fitch. A simple emotive piano ballad, the track showcases her voice in all its beauty and glory.
Her tracks flourish live and for the first time we get to hear ‘Take Me Apart’ played on piano. This passionate and tender track discussing her feelings during lockdown is a real treat. Fitch possesses all the criteria for major alternative pop stardom, her ability to write songs ( which hit you hard in the chest, exposing feelings you never knew you even had ) is mesmerising while her ear worm melodies, expressive vocals and rich compositions leave all her contemporaries behind. The maturity and understanding in her songwriting is such a soothing and beautiful comfort while the refined layering and instrumentation displays her creative genius.
Fitch is an intense performer sprawling her arms out while soaring through her perfect falsetto and sultry lower range. From the power of ‘Fake Smiles’ to the haunting ‘Not Myself’ we get to see Fitch multi task between loops, flute and big drum and synth builds.This set list is a reminder of the fantastic tunes she has in her arsenal and the new unreleased track ‘Dust’ is an impressive display of her songwriting prowess. Words cannot express how special this song is. It floored me. It’s a moving track about losing someone you thought you would always have and almost hurts to hear. Each word feels fresh and painful for Fitch as she lays emotion over a bittersweet melody while a building piano graces the backdrop in an equal measure of strength and tenderness.
‘A Love So Crazy’ brings the set to an epic end, leaving us craving for more. This was a professional, fun and engaging performance from a remarkable artist.
In true Virtual manner a Q&A follows the performance allowing fans to ask questions and get into the details of tracks. Fitch’s bubbly persona makes this a seamless and fun engagement as she discusses all from how she creates her tracks, the biggest obstacle she’s had to overcome and how she got into music as well as some technical intricacies about her set up for the live performance. Rebekah Fitch is an amazing artist and one everyone should check out.
For a taste of the compelling songwriting of Rebekah Fitch check out her track ‘A Love So Crazy’ below
Author : Danu
