Steph's Boss Strings
10/11/24 15:16
On Tuesday I went to Leaf, on Bold Street, to watch a Steph Strings gig. I’d never seen her play before—she said during the show that it was her first time in Liverpool (but she had played in the north west, including Manchester, before supporting someone). I can’t actually recall how or when I discovered her and so am not sure if it was from an Insta or Spotify algorithm. However I was introduced to her I thank them/it. I’ve been listening to her stuff via Spotify and following her exploits on Insta for a few months and it was great to she was to play Leaf and I soon got me a ticket.
Liverpool were playing at home in the Champion’s League which made the transport in a bit of a worry—as it always is for home games. It turned out that I had no probs getting in at all. I checked out the stage times and Steph was due on at 9pm, so I headed into the Vines to watch the 1st half of the Reds vs Xabi’s Leverkusen, partly so I could just see at least some of the game, but also because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to sit or not following my severe MS leg fatigue at my last gig. So I left at half time when the score was 0-0 and got to Leaf before Steph went on. It turned out that the gig was pretty full but there were plenty of chairs and in fact many of the audience were sat on the floor to watch. I opted for a chair as I was unsure about the spectacle of me periodically trying to stand up from the floor.
Steph came on just after 9. She play’s unaccompanied with just her guitar and a stomp box or foot tambourine thingy. Her songs and playing are exemplary and she gets the crowd going both with her performance and her stories between the songs. She even managed to get everyone singing or clapping along with her through patient instruction to a willing—and able—audience. I got my phone out to take a couple of pics and was greeted by notifications that Liverpool were winning 2-0. Cool! She plays the guitar effortlessly using lots of clever techniques—even channeling Jeff Healey a couple of times. By the time the gig was over everyone was mightily impressed and happy with the night’s gig—and I found Liverpool had won 4-0. Although I’d missed what must have been an excellent second half, I was glad I’d not missed the gig. Yes, Steph was that good.
If you get the chance to see her do. Although I guess she’ll be playing more in her native Australia for a while now. I’m not sure what Steph’s surname actually is, unless it really is Strings and it’s the best example of nominative determinism ever. I dare say I could Google it. But hey I’m not bothered. Have a listen to her on Spotify (or wherever you can). I’ll put some links below.
Spotify
Liverpool were playing at home in the Champion’s League which made the transport in a bit of a worry—as it always is for home games. It turned out that I had no probs getting in at all. I checked out the stage times and Steph was due on at 9pm, so I headed into the Vines to watch the 1st half of the Reds vs Xabi’s Leverkusen, partly so I could just see at least some of the game, but also because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to sit or not following my severe MS leg fatigue at my last gig. So I left at half time when the score was 0-0 and got to Leaf before Steph went on. It turned out that the gig was pretty full but there were plenty of chairs and in fact many of the audience were sat on the floor to watch. I opted for a chair as I was unsure about the spectacle of me periodically trying to stand up from the floor.
Steph came on just after 9. She play’s unaccompanied with just her guitar and a stomp box or foot tambourine thingy. Her songs and playing are exemplary and she gets the crowd going both with her performance and her stories between the songs. She even managed to get everyone singing or clapping along with her through patient instruction to a willing—and able—audience. I got my phone out to take a couple of pics and was greeted by notifications that Liverpool were winning 2-0. Cool! She plays the guitar effortlessly using lots of clever techniques—even channeling Jeff Healey a couple of times. By the time the gig was over everyone was mightily impressed and happy with the night’s gig—and I found Liverpool had won 4-0. Although I’d missed what must have been an excellent second half, I was glad I’d not missed the gig. Yes, Steph was that good.
If you get the chance to see her do. Although I guess she’ll be playing more in her native Australia for a while now. I’m not sure what Steph’s surname actually is, unless it really is Strings and it’s the best example of nominative determinism ever. I dare say I could Google it. But hey I’m not bothered. Have a listen to her on Spotify (or wherever you can). I’ll put some links below.
Spotify
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