Pizza Express Live in Holborn, like its sister venue on Dean Street further into London’s West End, is the perfect setting for this kind of gig. Promoted and curated by the amazing Lorraine Solomons of Success Express who has kindly invited us to join her for the show, the gig is sold out and the atmosphere is buzzing. Moreover, we get to mix cool music with tasty food and to hang out with our friends Sue, Tadj and Lorraine. What’s not to love?!
Lorraine is both a passionate, tireless supporter of grassroots live music and a highly experienced curator of top quality live events. Tonight she has brought together three promising young artists bringing different perspectives on the singer-songwriter aura. First up is Saachisen.


Saachisen @ Pizza Express Live, London

Sherry: Saachisen – a name that instantly caught my attention. Knowing it’s a North Indian name, I was curious to see what her performance would be like. I actually reached out to her on Instagram, and I have to say, she’s not only talented but incredibly sweet and kind. It was so refreshing to chat with her – you can tell she’s someone who genuinely loves connecting with her audience, even off-stage. What struck me most during her set was her voice. There’s a soft, soothing quality to it, but it also carries this strength that grabs your attention. She has a way of blending heartfelt lyrics with beautiful melodies, and you can feel her passion in every song. I absolutely loved her songwriting – it’s poetic and deeply personal, the kind that draws you in and makes you feel like she’s speaking directly to you. There’s something special about an artist who can make you feel that connected through their music, and Saachisen has that rare gift.

Neil: I like how she starts off playing guitar and then switches to piano for a substantial chunk of the set. References are hard to pinpoint but maybe just a hint of Delta Goodrem mixing it with Lana Del Rey although I hasten to add she does not sound especially like either artist. Green Park is an autobiographical tale of drunken escapades while new single The Gap has a more sophisticated feel. Her piano playing has a classical undercurrent which adds another dimension to her sound. And she has a cool backing duo of Violin and Cello that also underlines her uniqueness. It has been a very strong opening set.

Neil: After the heartwarming honesty of Saachisen’s tales of teenage tribulations and such-like, Daisy Veacock is holding nothing back. Backed by a Bass Guitarist and a Pianist, she doesn’t mince words in her lyrics, many of which appear to be others ruining things for her, including her 18th birthday, and also hanging out with older jazz musicians and then being ghosted! Her style has a jazz edge here and there with some sweet guitar and piano chords and figures. Vocally shades, perhaps, of Michelle Branch with a dash of Mandy Moore but then you could just as easily throw Lily Allen into that mix given the cockney edge to some of her delivery. She gets the audience to sing along towards the end which is always a great way to reinforce the sense of intimacy that she thrives on. We are all in on her story now and all the better for it.

Sherry: I love how you captured Daisy Veacock’s energy, Neil! After Saachisen’s heartfelt stories, Daisy really did come in with a bang. I totally agree that she wasn’t holding anything back – her lyrics were so refreshingly raw and unapologetic. It’s like she turned all those frustrating experiences into these witty, relatable songs that had everyone hooked. Her storytelling is so bold, and I loved the way she wasn’t afraid to air it all out, whether it was about a ruined birthday or being ghosted by jazz musicians! That bit was such a wild detail, but she made it work in this totally engaging way.

Daisy Veacock Live @ Pizza Express London

Florence Noon, Live @ Pizza Express London

Sherry: It’s such a shame we missed part of Florence Noon’s set because of the journey, but even from the bit we caught, it was clear she’s a powerhouse. Her voice is something else – soulful, yet grounded, with a real dynamism to it. I love how she manages to blend that modern sound with a bit of a retro vibe. Even in the short time we were there, you could tell she has an incredible range. Lorraine did such a fantastic job curating the night! A truly memorable evening, and I’m so glad we got to be a part of it!

Neil: I absolutely agree with Sherry. Despite missing part of her set due to the long journey we face, Florence Noon takes no time to make an impression. Her band is kicking, funky and tight as tight gets. This syncopation and light-textured sturdiness provide the perfect musical backdrop for Florence’s dexterous and expressive vocals. Her style is soulful, earthy and dynamic and she manages to simultaneously sound very contemporary while appearing to have a throwback element to her music; made all the more so because it is so organic. As Sherry has already noted, this has been a really well curated night. Lorraine’s compering is also first class and the appreciation she shows to all the people making the gig happen and to the audience is lovely to see. A cool gig in a lovely venue made all the more so by the excellent company we were in.