Billy Nomates

12 December, 2024

I have always been impressed by Tor’s voice and the energy she puts into filling a stage on her own. In fact, I think she has one of the best voices I’ve heard for years. However, I’ve never been convinced this was the right approach. I have only seen her play on big festival stages and like with Sleaford Mods, felt that maybe she would have more of an impact with a live band. Although, the size of festival stages might be the reason why I wondered if a band would be better format for her voice. In fairness, as a photographer, I spend most of my time glancing around the stage watching what each band member is doing, looking for a photo. When there’s only one person on stage, I feel a bit lost. Although in Tor’s case, she moves around so much, it becomes more like sports photography. I have still enjoyed her sets. Did I mention Tor’s voice? I love her voice. How can you not enjoy listening to her voice. Her voice is key to her performances.

When I heard she was going to be playing some alternative arrangements with a band and in a relatively small venue with no barriers, I had to be there.

Opening for Tor was dancer Stephanie McMann, interpreting some dark and at times menacing music. It was different. While she left some of the audience bemused. I found her performance held my interest. But I don’t have the understanding of dance to interpret if her dance was good.

Tor’s band consisted of a drummer, laying down low key alt-folk type beats, and a bassist. Tor at times played guitar too. The format allowed her to always be front and centre. Her presence and voice, always the centre of my attention. The band allowed her to focus on the vocal performance and not ‘a performance’. I think at times she was finding limiting her performance to the front of the stage constraining. But the interactions you get between artists are what makes each performance unique. Tor joking, that she might be done for false advertising given that clearly she wasn’t Billy Nomates and so disowned her friends on stage to keep everything legal.

It is these little moments I think I have wanted. The backing tracks were still there. They were stripped back with the bass and drums adding a new dimension to songs we know well. But the interactions felt natural. Having backing vocals, rather backing tracks worked. The songs breathed a bit more and Tor is such a good performer, it has always seemed like she was a front person without a band, but tonight, she was a great front person.

Tonight’s set list was a mixture of new material from her forthcoming album, mixed with some older reworked material. I assume the new material is being recorded with this new setup. The new material sounded strong.

Tor shouldn’t play with a band to keep somebody like me happy. She has to create the art she wants and keeps her happy. She definitely shouldn’t listen to people (always guys) who think her performing on her own, isn’t live music, or people like me who enjoy her set but think she holds her performance back by not having a band. The reaction to her Glastonbury set was unacceptable. Her approach has always been right for her and has to continue to be what’s right for her. As I’ve still never seen her play a small venue on her own. I can’t judge if this was a ‘better performance’. Compared to her festival performances. I preferred tonight. I did think on the way home, would Billy Withmates stand out on a festival bill? For me, definitely. What is unique about Tor is her stunning voice. Tonight, it was right there front and centre without the distraction of her trying to fill the stage. But what do I know and why should she care? As long as she enjoys performing, that’s the important thing.