Live

Queen Kaltoum : The Pheasantry Pizza Express Chelsea 11/11/2023

Yesterday, pop rock legends McFly appeared on the PizzaExpress Live stage at The Pheasantry to introduce the winner of the Live Summer Sessions series, Queen Kaltoum.

This young, morrocan born London based, singer didn’t disappoint either with a sharp set of originals and a Xmas crescendo whilst we enjoyed a cracking mushroom and truffle pizza and other such delights.

A little nervous to begin with QK took the stage and started to weave her magic. The tunes are entrenched in classic Neo Soul / R&B nothing new but extremely embraceable.

Opener, ‘No Control’, set the scene with its gentle groove shifting harmonically from minor to major and ‘Tell Me’ took it up a gear with its cross stick blessedness adorning proceedings. Lyrically, her tunes are a quest for identity, a sense of belonging, honesty and finding a balance between romance and independent artistic freedom. She’s also got wonder lust too, in the shape of ‘Falling Asleep (Dreaming Of Places I Could Go) which saw the drummer switch it up double time as QK delivered an Italian Rap ! Nice touch.

She has natural style and wanting to perform to people makes her likeable. Suffice to say, (like the food) nothing here is half done. And most generous of all, of course, is QK’s voice which has irresistible, velvety tones built in. Warm, playful and sisterly. We will be keeping an eye on this regal romantic and her journey with PX Records.
PHOTO EMRYS BAIRD
Words Emrys Baird