After her last visit filled with busking in the streets, BERENICE finally makes her bold debut performance in Nottingham, gracing the stage upstairs in The Angel Microbrewery. LeftLion was there to witness the charm...
For someone who only released her first EP last year, BERENICE knows exactly who she is in the industry. Forming an expressive brand since she was 12, inspired by the "sparkles and rock of 2010 Miley Cyrus", she threw all she had to offer across the stage upstairs at The Angel, flipping between a pop-rock princess persona and a poetic, vulnerable figure all while maintaining her underlying signature style of a little bit of country.
The media has categorised her music as Spaghetti Western Pop, and BERENICE would agree that this is how her art should be perceived, saying she "grew up watching Western movies" and "wondered what her soundtrack to them might sound like." This is evident in her work, with tonight's show being full of catchy melodies and expressive lyrics.
Alongside her unique tracks, she highlighted her bright personality by appearing in a smile and glitter, bracing the crowd for her authenticity. She made a careful effort to frequently interact with the audience between songs while also introducing and thanking her band. This was received well, with the small and quietly appreciative room of listeners engaging with the performance and quick conversation, clapping along to the beat and even lowering down to the floor during the build-up of Baby Baby (Baby). This was visibly a good moment for BERENICE, who shared her feeling that "playing is the only way you can build a connection with people", showing her passion for her projects.
To pinpoint a highlight of the performance, it would be her choice to close the set with a cover of I Love Rock ‘N Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. BERENICE cleverly used the venue’s intimate feel by coming down from the stage to share the crowd’s energy while singing. The room seemed to shift into a more relaxed state; even those unfamiliar with her had no choice but to sing along now!
Throughout the set, it was clear that BERENICE's confidence grew with every song. The intimate venue felt like the perfect place to start; while the crowd was close-knit, she delivered a performance that made the room feel far larger, showing a determination and self-assurance that will surely be replicated throughout her career as the spaces and stages grow with each new release.
In the last few moments of the night, BERENICE made sure to take photos and meet with those in the crowd, making the room feel like a community and her show like a heartfelt gesture. With this strong, exciting debut in Nottingham, going from busking to the upstairs room at The Angel, it’s easy to imagine her being welcomed back to our live events scene whenever she feels that the city is lacking some cool-girl country charm.
BERENICE performed at The Angel Microbrewery on 28th January 2026. Her new single, Wifey Material, is set to arrive on streaming platforms on 3rd February.
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