Kat Eaton may be one of Sheffield’s best-kept secrets, but for how much longer? I’d already listened to and enjoyed her music, but tonight was my first chance to see her live. Her show at Yellow Arch was the perfect escape on a stormy Neepsend winter’s night, as we arrived soaked from torrential rain. The atmosphere was intimate, with a devoted crowd gathered to watch her and her band play their final show of the year before she and her husband, guitarist Nick, settle down to write songs for her third album. If you’ve heard anything from her previous two, you’ll already know what an incredible voice she has.
Her songs cover themes of love and relationships but can also be brutally honest, drawing from her and Nick’s life experiences. They’re often thought-provoking, yet always with a touch of optimism. And let’s not forget the soulful, rocking bangers that get everyone moving.
She and the band have spent the year touring both the UK and Europe, making this gig a homecoming treat before a well-earned break. As she remarked, “We’ve been to Holland, Luxembourg, Croatia and some other places I’ve completely forgotten.” The audience was treated to a rousing mix of her career highlights and a few cover versions. Her take on Count Basie’s Alright, Okay, You Win was a perfect match for her voice, with its swinging beat and a chorus that had everyone joining in. Fittingly, she also performed Joe Cocker’s Feeling Alright. While her blues-rock style nods to Cocker, she made the song entirely her own with her rich, soulful delivery.
Kat played two sets, returning for the second half with Frequency, a track she performed solo on keyboard. The stripped-down arrangement showcased how beautifully her songs work in any format.
The night was a homecoming in more ways than one. Twenty years ago, Kat and Nick, then a young couple, won Silverdale School’s Battle of the Bands competition, earning them the chance to record a demo at Yellow Arch.
She closed the evening with Tom Waits’ much-loved Come On Up to the House. It’s the kind of song made for a singalong, giving the band plenty of chances to shine with instrumental breaks between verses.
It’s been quite a journey since Kat’s debut at The Crown in Totley, a gig she landed thanks to the support of Frank White. A major influence on her, White played a significant role in her early career. Kat has since earned accolades across the music world, supported acts like Jools Holland and his orchestra, and received her first radio play from none other than Terry Wogan on his Sunday show.
Even as she takes a break from her live schedule, Kat won’t be disappearing completely. She’ll resurface for a few low-key acoustic gigs at The Greystones – a must-see if you can make it.
It was a really fantastic evening, which satisfied all her fans inside, and made more than a few converts, myself included, to the wonderful talents of Kat Eaton.
Words: Mark Perkins
Photo: Becky Reitz
