Forty Years On, Suzanne Vega Still Weaves Magic at Bristol Beacon

Sam Holt
7 hours ago
3 min read

Bristol Beacon, Thursday 30th October

WORDS & IMAGES SAM HOLT

Forty Years On, Suzanne Vega Still Weaves Magic at Bristol Beacon — PHOTO CREDIT SAM HOLT

A dreary October night in Bristol was brightened by the beautiful soundscapes woven by Suzanne Vega. She is currently performing a short run of shows in the UK as part of her European tour to promote the recently released album Flying with Angels, which was, coincidentally, released 40 years to the day after her self-titled debut. It’s a wonderful record that shows she has lost nothing over the years—if anything, her music has matured beautifully.

Opening the evening was Katherine Priddy, a singer-songwriter from Birmingham. Her short set was captivating; her voice is incredibly emotive, especially during the opening track, A Boat on the River. She was joined by George Boomsma on guitar and backing vocals, whom she credited not only for his musicianship but also for doing all the driving and finding the best restaurants. Introducing Eurydice, she asked the Bristol audience if they were into Greek mythology. The crowd seemed fully engaged, particularly during the next song, Matches. Priddy has recently announced that she will be headlining Celtic Connections next year.

As the PA announced, “From New York City, Suzanne Vega,” she and long-time collaborator Gerry Leonard walked out to great applause. Opening with Marlene on the Wall was a strong start—once she had her top hat properly organised. It wasn’t until after the first few songs that Vega began talking with the audience. Known for her humour and storytelling, she quickly established a warm rapport. She told us about someone she had met, become involved with, drifted apart from, and later reconnected with—an experience that inspired In Liverpool from her 99.9F° album. Vega also mentioned that much of her set would draw from her back catalogue, with a few newer songs towards the end. The Queen and the Soldier, from her debut album, went down a storm with the crowd.

The last time I saw Vega, she performed with a full band. Tonight, she was accompanied by Gerry Leonard on guitar and backing vocals, and midway through the set, by Stephanie Winters on cello and harmonies. Both musicians contributed beautifully to the overall sound. Leonard, a respected guitarist who has toured with many renowned artists, brought a subtle and richly textured approach that added depth and warmth to Vega’s songs.

Introducing one of her new songs, Chambermaid, Vega explained her fondness for Bob Dylan’s I Want You and how she wondered what became of the chambermaid mentioned in its lyrics. She told us she woke up one morning imagining herself as that character and wrote the song from her perspective. Among her stories, one of the most amusing moments came when she recounted her daughter asking, “Mom, why do you always wear black?”—and then adding, “But we’re at the beach!” It was the perfect lead-in to I Never Wear White.

Closing the main set were two much-loved classics: Luka, from Solitude Standing, and the timeless Tom’s Diner.

For the encore, the trio returned to perform a cover of Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side before moving into Alley, my personal favourite from the new album, and finishing with the reflective Galway. The Bristol crowd rewarded them with a well-deserved standing ovation.

The stage setup was simple yet effective—a curtain bathed in shifting colours that complemented the mood of each song. The sound was superb, and the setlist, a well-balanced mix of old and new material, made for a fantastic night of music.

Setlist