LIVE REVIEW: Oliver Beardmore, Lydia Prettyman & Rae Charlea @ The Castle Hotel

A cloudy Wednesday in Manchester brought together three rising acts under the low ceilings of the Castle Hotel: an intimate, wood-panelled room in the city centre that felt more like a friendly gathering than a gig. There was community in the air from the start: Rae Charlea opened the night with a rich blend of sentimental Rock, while headline act Oliver Beardmore watched from the middle of the small but engaged crowd.

Photo Credit: Nathan Cole

With hands behind her back and a soft “thank you” after every song, Rae Charlea delivered a disarming and quietly confident set. She treated us to a mix of unreleased material and heartfelt gems, the standout being ‘I.H.H.G’, a track with a driving chorus of “I Hate Her Guts” that echoed long after the last note.

Next up, Lydia Prettyman slowed things down with her brand of melancholic Rock. Her vocals had real range, and she looked completely at ease on stage. ‘Ribcage’ and ‘Easy’ stood out, while the unreleased ‘Saint’, a song about hangxiety, drew knowing smiles from the crowd. Some well-paced guitar solos added texture and kept us leaning in.

Oliver Beardmore closed the night in two-piece form, backed only by a drummer. With a reverb-heavy guitar and a masterful command of his pedalboard, he made it sound like a full band. He played fan favourites like ‘Cold Star’ and ‘Sky Pieces’, teased a new track from his upcoming album, ‘Trauma Porn’, and closed with his most streamed song, ‘Nothing’s Like It Was Before’.

All three sets felt too short, in the best way. A night that didn’t just showcase upcoming talent, but reminded us why small gigs can feel the biggest.