Scottish singer-songwriter Neev opened a miserable Saturday at Truck Festival in The Nest. Backed by a full band, could she warm the soul amid a torrential downpour?
The bulk of the set was taken from her debut album ‘Katherine’, released in April via Trapped Animal. ‘Will I Change You’s deeply personal lyrics would have jarred so early in the day had it not been for Neev’s eloquent and soothing vocals. Her ability to move from steely to empathetic showed glimpses of what a performer she could become alongside her esteemed writing.
On ‘Green’, the band chime in with achingly beautiful backing vocals and resounding guitars lighting up the sodden tent. Neev showcased a vocal power only matched that weekend by Megan Wyn. Her country-folk delectation strayed from the ethereal to a grunge-tinged howl giving her songs a mesmeric appeal on the small stage.
This appeal was doubled down on step closer ‘Flowers’. A rousing and spellbinding affair that should never leave her setlists. Neev played Truck Festival after winning a competition. She left it, proving that few are her competition.