Words by Captain’s Bar events manager, Say Something Music label owner and promoter Scott Evans
It’s been less than a year since I received a message from local gig goer and bassist Sid Denwood suggesting I help a singer, who had performed a few songs at an open mic, with recording a few of them. Contact information swapped with Soundcloud demos, and I was introduced to Cocoh. The songs were simply wonderful without exception.
Cocoh is incredibly focused when it comes to her musical output and ambition. On our first meeting she presented to me the songs for her debut EP and her first album. She had a vision of how each one should sound and its place on the relevant release. I’m sure she won’t mind me saying that she is a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to the studio, and this pays off tenfold on her releases.
It wasn’t long until I booked her into the Captain’s Bar for her first gig and from that point on she has wowed audiences with her almost hypnotic performances. The mark of an exceptional solo artist is their ability to take a room full of drinking public and silence them.
Her live reputation has grown really quickly and has seen some rather prestigious dates, notably supporting Brianna Corrigan (The Beautiful South) at a sold out Artisan Tap, John Dhali support at Foxlowe Arts Centre and more recently a mini tour taking in legendary grassroots venues Manchester’s Peer Hat and Liverpool’s Jacaranda.
At the start of this year her debut single Insidious was released to an appreciative audience. Its indie folk vibes and sing along chorus have become a staple part of her live shows. She also provided vocals for one of my own singles Radiant, and became the lead vocalist for my own trip hop side project. All this whilst still continuing to write new songs, play more shows and continue to record.
Given that she only picked up a guitar to give her something to do during the worldwide lockdown, where she found herself in an Australian campsite before returning to the UK, is quite remarkable. Which brings me to just last week when I was doing my manager/roadie duties and picking her up to perform in Manchester alongside Poppy Blond. With a huge grin on her face she confirmed that she would be performing at Glastonbury 2024. Somewhat ironically she had only just supported stoke legend Walter Kocays at his Glastonbury warm up gig and we didn’t know at that point.
Cocoh has been a Glastonbury attendee for a number of years and has only dreamt of the chance to perform at the world famous festival. The news came on the back of her aptly titled release IWishFor, which The Leopheard described as ‘a shining example of her artistry’.
Speaking on the announcement of heading to Glastonbury, Cocoh added: “I’m so unbelievably excited to perform at Glastonbury Festival this year! It’s been a lifelong dream of mine, so I’m incredibly grateful to be given this opportunity. I’m performing at backstage acoustic tomorrow lunchtime (June 27) and I can’t wait!”
And so, that brings us to three acts heading to Worthy Farm for our proud city this year, with Cocoh joining Walter Kocays and drummer Danny Shaw’s new big band/electronic project Kilne. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we wish them all the best.
