02 September 2026 (gig)
20 h
Folk music is currently experiencing somewhat of a revolution, taking it to heights the genre hasn’t seen in decades. Led by acts like Zach Bryan and Hozier, folk is being played on the radio and selling out massive shows nationwide. Quality runs through the movement though, folk has one of the strongest upcoming scenes. This was on full display at The Bodega in Nottingham when Charlie Noordewier and Little Grandad took to the stage in the quaint attic venue.
Usually accompanied by his band, Mr Noordewier opened the night solo. This didn’t take away from the show in the slightest, however, as even with just a voice and guitar, the room felt captivated by the Devon native. Playing songs from his debut EP Joy and Despair, the set felt intimate and personal, amplified by the matinee-esque vibe to the set. That illusion was slightly torn when he whipped out a jug of milk to drink in between songs, each to their own, I guess. Charlie rounded off the performance with ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, a song that feels special, before heading over to the merch desk to greet fans such as myself. Seems like a lovely guy.
The main event was an hour long, a great hour of Little Grandad. The first show since the official announcement of their debut record, Speak Softly, Son, the crowd had extra reason to believe they were witnessing something iconic. Little Grandad is a four-piece band of four singers, let me tell you, these four boys can harmonise, and they know it. With merch to prove it, every song contains some of the most angelic male harmonies you’ll hear in any music. This allows the band to stand out from the competition; they feel incomparable to anything in the UK scene, especially. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know Little Grandad before the show, I went as my friend insisted they were special. She was right. Songs like Babe, We’ve Run Out of Time and especially Tiny Feet, their latest single, felt particularly memorable. Tiny Feet was the song for me, if that is the direction the band are moving in with the album, they will surely succeed. A lot of the songs played on the night went unintroduced, so I can’t tell you what they’re called or where to find them, and that’s a shame, as many felt playlist worthy.
Little Grandad only have four songs out on streaming platforms, and to sell out a 220-capacity venue already leaves you in a prestigious group of bands, especially in the modern, streaming-led music landscape. Both Charlie Noordewier and Little Grandad will go on to have bright careers as musicians, I am sure of it. Charlie will forever draw comparisons to Paolo Nutini, which can never be a bad thing, especially with that man's touring schedule leaving his fans desperate for a taste of live music. Charlie Noordewier provides that taste and is certainly one to check out if you enjoy Nutini’s work. Little Grandad are more challenging to compare; they stand alone in what I know about music. There are some similarities to The Backseat Lovers, but broadly they have an incredibly unique sound.
