The Graceful Command of Caitlin: Quietly Fierce and Fully Assured
- Hannah Breen
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 9 minutes ago
The Grace, long one of my favourite London venues, carried a familiar sense of anticipation that only an intimate venue of its kind can summon, where every note and movement is entirely magnified by proximity. Located in Islington, the iconic music venue has been celebrated for hosting the city’s greatest emerging talents as they find their footing; its past guests only underline the venue’s well-deserved reputation, with artists such as Jeff Buckley, Mumford & Sons, The 1975, and Wolf Alice having previously played scaled-down sets here. That legacy casts a quiet shadow over every performance, a reminder that even the smallest rooms can host the future greats of the industry. Arriving that evening, I carried with me fresh memories of the gig I had attended the previous night for Strand, surf-rock band The Wytches, albeit at a different venue. There was a stark contrast between the two events: one drenched in reverb and chaos, the other smooth, jazzy, and intimate. They served as a testament to the wonderfully diverse landscape of the current music scene. From the very opening act, the crowd seemed engaged and excited for what was to come, and by the moment Caitlin took to the stage, it was evident that this enthusiasm was not misplaced.
Born Caitlin Van den Bogaerde and raised in the New Forest, she demonstrated prodigious musical talent from an early age. Training as a jazz vocalist whilst also mastering the flute, guitar, and piano, Caitlin was performing live by sixteen and soon became a regular performer at London’s jazz clubs with her seven-piece ensemble, Sol Collective. Early collaborations with artists such as Bruno Major, Steve Christanthou, and Jimmy Napes helped her to refine her craft, whilst her debut EP, "Sleeping With The Devil," has already accumulated over one million streams on Spotify. Caitlin’s artistry reflects years of disciplined training and innate talent, yet she still presents herself with a natural ease and composure that not once feels showy or excessive.
The evening began with Tandem, a duo whose jazzy-soul approach was soft and immediately engaging. Their set wove covers and originals seamlessly, featuring crowd-pleasers such as recent Grammy-nominee Olivia Dean’s "Nice to Each Other" and Carly Simon’s "You're So Vain" of rom-com fame, interspersed with a few originals. Their performance was intimate and endearing, a gentle prelude that drew the audience in and set the tone perfectly for the rest of the evening. Lee Feather & The Night Movers were next, cramming an almost comedically large ensemble onto The Grace’s tiny stage. Their presence was impossible to ignore from the jump as the frontman strode in a sharp suit and sunglasses seemingly borrowed from Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner and The Dare, radiating an aloof confidence. The band’s instrumentation was layered and dynamic, providing a stark contrast to Tandem.
When Caitlin finally stepped into the spotlight, the atmosphere shifted again — this time with a quiet authority without overt theatrics. Her raspy yet powerful vocals immediately commanded attention, full of texture and edge, evoking the emotive precision of Sienna Spiro and RAYE. Comparisons to her sister Birdy are inevitable, but the two artists couldn’t be more different: Whilst Birdy’s sound is renowned for its sentimental and soft nature, Caitlin’s vocals pack a punch. She is a powerhouse grounded in jazz and soul, seamlessly blending technical skill and charisma with contemporary alt-pop influence. The set was a deft balance of careful curation with carefree spontaneity. Her recently released single, "Pray For Me," translated beautifully to the stage: the skittery hi-hat and moody guitar line retained all the authority of the studio version, whilst gaining an undeniable live energy as the performance radiated restlessness and intensity, teetering on the knife’s edge between control and abandon. The inclusion of a saxophone in her band added another layer of improvisational flourish, a subtle nod to her jazz training and ability to seamlessly weave dynamic musical textures.
My personal favourite track of the night was "What a Shame," a performance that felt laid back yet entirely confident, where Caitlin’s emotive phrasing and tonal control truly shone. The evening concluded with a cover of JJ Cale’s "Mama Don’t," an unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable flourish that left the audience linking arms and dancing in front of the stage with a collective joy that punctuated the evening beautifully. A significant part of what made the performance so compelling was the rapport Caitlin shared with her band. They listened to each other throughout, creating a sense of cohesion and professionalism that made every song’s potential feel fully realised. Leading a group with such confidence without ever overshadowing their contributions is no small feat, but Caitlin accomplished it effortlessly.
By the time her set concluded, it was evident to everyone in the audience that Caitlin is an artist operating in her own unique artistic realm. The Grace may be a small venue, but her presence was expansive throughout, as she commanded the entire room with a confidence and warmth that left a lasting impression. Caitlin is already poised to leave a mark on the contemporary British music scene. With her performance, she demonstrated technical prowess, as well as an ability to make every audience feel invited into her creative world, a rare and memorable feat that affirms her as one of the UK’s most compelling emerging talents of the current soul-pop renaissance.
Follow Caitlin on Instagram to keep up with her latest songs and upcoming gigs. Her music can also be found on Spotify and all other streaming platforms.
Edited By Mahak Naddafi, Co-Music Editor.
