Brooke Combe at Dingwalls

The air outside may be ice cold, but Dingwalls is cosy and chatty as Brooke Combe takes the stage for the final show of her tour. Dressed casually in jeans and a tee, Combe is a natural onstage. She oozes soul and doesn’t miss a beat the whole night, proving that the Scottswoman is a star in the making.

She kicks off the show with A-Game, a smooth tune from her EP Black Is the New Gold, immediately capturing the audience with her husky vocals. The beat is mesmerising, the crowd unable to keep their heads still, while her body settles into a fluid groove. It all seems so easy for her, and there’s a feeling that we’re witnessing the making of someone great. Combe and her band move into For the Last Time, the bridge elevating her voice to the next level, before bringing full jazz to the winter night with Talkin’ Bout Heartaches. The crowd clap along as one, clearly enjoying themselves.

With tight harmonies and heartfelt lyrics, Guilt is a highlight. The only disappointment is the fact it is currently unreleased. The rendition of Leave Me The F*** Alone performed is truly something memorable. Combe explains how this song is freshly written, and that she’s not sure if she likes it yet, before playing it with only her guitarist on stage with her. It allows her voice to shine, whilst welcoming us into her creative process, making the show more intimate and familial. Brooke herself is good with the crowd, charming and easy to pay attention to, the kind of person you automatically root for.

New single Praise is a bass-filled wonder that shakes both the floor and your spine, the backing track choir filling every crevice in the place. It’s a song that needs a bigger venue, another reminder that Brooke is on her way upwards. Impress You is met with cheers from the crowd, and it’s obvious why. She jams with her band at the end of the song and it is magnetic, talent seeping from her fingertips, settling into a rhythm that should never end, all eyes glued to her and her guitar.

She sends us home with Are You With Me?, one of her first releases over two years ago, and one of her best to date. Its catchy melody and building beat are the perfect way to end the night, ensuring that no one will forget Brooke Combe.

Talitha Stowell
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Brooke Combe’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Miss Me Now here: