On September 24th, just days after the new academic year had started, I went to Bristol to see Chloe Moriondo at The Fleece. Truthfully, prior to the concert, I admit that I was not a superfan of Chloe, knowing only some of her music. I adored two of her songs in particular: “Bodybag”and “Strawberry Blonde”. However, as someone who loves music and has a desire to see more live concerts, I decided to give the show a go; a choice I am grateful I made as it turned out to be an amazing experience!
Being in Bristol, the concert was easy to get to and from in one day and The Fleece itself is only a 10-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads Station. As a venue, it is small but, in my opinion, it provides a cozy and intimate atmosphere perfect for this kind of show. It meant that despite only getting the £15 general entry tickets I was standing only one row away from the stage.
I have been to a few concerts before, but hearing those songs be performed right in front of me, made for a truly moving experience. The opening act did a great job at hyping up the fans for Chloe’s eventual arrival on stage. When she finally appeared, after an ocean-themed montage of videos, the crowd erupted into excitement. Despite my lack of familiarity regarding the songs of her newest album, Oyster, the experience was phenomenal.
Chloe knew how to keep the atmosphere electric throughout the concert, swiftly changing between songs, talking to the audience at points and performing her hits “Bodybag” and “I Want to Be with You” from her previous album Blood Bunny. Before performing the latter, Chloe took a moment to champion the importance of creating a safe and welcoming space for queer people to rejoice together. In the context of current events around the world threatening LGBTQ+ rights, Chloe Moriondo proves the value of music as a haven for those who need it most.
This concert might have been the small push I needed to become a big Chloe Moriondo fan. If you think studying in Exeter means there are no music opportunities for you, think again! The city itself and its neighbouring towns and cities offer many chances to experience live music at reasonable prices.
