Kathryn Joseph Newcastle upon

Kathryn Joseph Live at The Cluny 2, Newcastle upon Tyne

Date: Sunday, 2 November 2025

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About the Event

Prepare for an evening of profound emotion and unflinching honesty as Mercury Prize-winning artist Kathryn Joseph graces the intimate setting of The Cluny 2 in Newcastle upon Tyne. This is not merely a concert; it is an invitation into the deeply personal and often cathartic world of one of Scotland’s most compelling musical storytellers. Joseph’s performances are renowned for their raw intensity, her voice capable of both hushed vulnerability and gut-wrenching power, all delivered with an authentic and captivating presence. To witness Kathryn Joseph live is to experience music that resonates long after the final note has faded, a rare and precious encounter with an artist at the absolute height of her powers. This promises to be an unforgettable night for anyone seeking music that touches the soul.

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About Kathryn Joseph

Kathryn Joseph, a native of the Scottish Highlands, has carved out a unique and powerful niche in the contemporary music landscape with her deeply personal and often harrowing lyrical narratives, set against a backdrop of sparse, yet intensely evocative piano arrangements. Her debut album, Bones You Have Thrown Me, released in 2014, was a stark and uncompromising exploration of grief and loss, immediately drawing critical acclaim for its raw honesty and Joseph’s extraordinary vocal delivery. It was her second album, From When I Wake The Wanting, however, that catapulted her into the national consciousness. Released in 2018, this collection of songs delved into themes of mental health, love, and the complexities of human connection with a vulnerability that felt both universal and profoundly intimate. The album earned her widespread critical praise and culminated in the prestigious Mercury Prize for Album of the Year, a testament to its profound artistic merit and emotional impact.

Joseph’s songwriting is characterised by its poetic sensibility and a courageous willingness to confront difficult emotions. Her lyrics are often fragmented, dreamlike, and laced with a dark humour that prevents her work from ever becoming maudlin. She possesses a singular ability to articulate the inexpressible, finding beauty in the melancholic and strength in vulnerability. Her voice, a remarkable instrument capable of soaring beauty and guttural anguish, is the focal point of her sound. It’s a voice that has been described as both fragile and formidable, capable of conveying a universe of feeling within a single phrase. While she has not had chart-topping “hits” in the traditional sense, songs like “The Bird,” “From When I Wake The Wanting,” and “I’m Not Here” have become anthems for those who connect with her unflinching emotional honesty. Her work transcends genre, existing in a space that is uniquely her own, a testament to her singular artistic vision. Live, Joseph’s performances are often described as spellbinding, an intimate communion between artist and audience where every word and note carries immense weight.

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Venue Information

The Cluny 2 is a beloved cornerstone of Newcastle’s live music scene, known for its intimate atmosphere and commitment to showcasing a diverse range of artists. Situated in the Ouseburn Valley, this venue offers a warm and welcoming environment that perfectly complements the deeply personal nature of Kathryn Joseph’s music. With its excellent acoustics and close proximity to the stage, audiences are guaranteed an immersive and engaging experience. The Cluny 2 has a reputation for hosting exceptional independent and emerging talent, alongside established artists who appreciate its authentic charm. This is a space where you can truly connect with the performance, free from distractions. For complete venue details, see our venue guide.

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What to Expect

An evening with Kathryn Joseph at The Cluny 2 is an immersive journey into the heart of raw emotion and profound storytelling. Joseph’s performances are characterised by their intensity and unwavering authenticity. Expect a setlist that delves deep into her critically acclaimed albums, Bones You Have Thrown Me and From When I Wake The Wanting, alongside potential explorations of newer material. Highlights will undoubtedly include fan favourites and deeply resonant tracks such as the hauntingly beautiful “The Bird,” the soul-baring title track of her Mercury Prize-winning album, “From When I Wake The Wanting,” and the intensely intimate “I’m Not Here.”

Her performance style is a captivating masterclass in minimalist artistry. Seated at her piano, Joseph commands the stage not through grand gestures, but through the sheer force of her presence and the power of her voice. Each song is delivered with an unvarnished honesty that can leave an audience breathless. Her vocal delivery is a remarkable spectrum, capable of hushed, almost whispered confessions that draw you in, followed by sudden, powerful crescendos that convey the full weight of her lyrical narratives. There is a palpable vulnerability in her performance, an openness that creates a profound connection with the audience. She doesn’t shy away from the difficult emotions, but rather embraces them, allowing the audience to share in that catharsis. The sparseness of her musical arrangements, typically just her voice and piano, ensures that every word lands with maximum impact, allowing the intricate poetry of her lyrics to shine through. This is not a performance designed for passive listening; it is an experience that demands your attention and rewards it tenfold. The duration of the performance is typically around 75-90 minutes, including a short interval, providing a substantial and deeply moving set.

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FAQs

Q1: What kind of music does Kathryn Joseph perform? Kathryn Joseph’s music defies easy categorisation, but it is often described as intensely personal indie folk, art pop, or chamber pop. Her work is characterised by its profound lyrical depth, exploring themes of love, loss, mental health, and human connection, all delivered through her distinctive vocal style and sparse piano arrangements.

Q2: Are Kathryn Joseph’s songs generally happy or sad? While Joseph’s music often deals with difficult and emotionally charged subjects, it is rarely purely melancholic. Her work is infused with a rare kind of beauty, honesty, and even dark humour. Her aim is often catharsis and understanding rather than simple sadness, finding strength and profound emotional resonance in vulnerability.

Q3: How would you describe Kathryn Joseph’s live performance style? Kathryn Joseph’s live performances are renowned for their intimacy and raw emotional power. She typically performs seated at a piano, delivering her songs with a captivating intensity and a voice that can shift from delicate vulnerability to gut-wrenching force. Her presence is honest and unflinching, creating a deeply personal connection with the audience.

Q4: Will Kathryn Joseph be playing songs from her Mercury Prize-winning album, From When I Wake The Wanting? Absolutely. From When I Wake The Wanting is a cornerstone of her celebrated work, and it is highly anticipated that she will perform key tracks from this album, which earned her the prestigious Mercury Prize. Songs like the title track, “The Bird,” and “I’m Not Here” are often highlights of her live sets.

Q5: Is it appropriate to sing along to Kathryn Joseph’s songs? Given the deeply personal and often introspective nature of Kathryn Joseph’s music, live performances are generally experienced as a quiet and respectful communion. While individual audience members may connect deeply and hum along internally, loud singing along is not typically part of the expected atmosphere. The focus is on absorbing the artist’s powerful delivery and lyrical narratives.

Q6: What is the typical length of a Kathryn Joseph concert? A typical Kathryn Joseph concert usually lasts around 75-90 minutes, which often includes a short interval. This duration allows for a substantial and impactful setlist that showcases the depth and breadth of her artistry.