Singer / Songwriter Katy J Pearson Brings The Wild Wild West To Widnes
Widnes Library, on Saturday 6 June from 2.30pm, as part of #CelebrateHalton.

Bristol-based singer/songwriter Katy is coming for a special, socially distanced matinee gig, in collaboration with Get it Loud in Libraries.

Hailing from Gloucestershire, Pearson started out her music career as half of indie pop duo, Ardyn alongside her brother, Rob Pearson.

Facing pressure from their label to pump out hit songs, the creative tension soon came to a head, with the label dropping them in the process.

Meanwhile, the siblings had been covertly writing songs that they enjoyed, leading to Katy stepping up as a solo artist, with Rob acting as her co-writer.

Now embarking on a solo career as part of Bristol’s music scene, Pearson has found her own signature sound and style.

The self-described ‘1970s Texas Mom’ is more Wild West than West Country. Pearson’s debut album, ‘Return’ was released in November 2020 and marked her re-entry into the world of music-making with “an honest collection exploring themes of romance, depression and good ol’ fashioned country heartbreak” (NME).

The collection of timeless tracks combining effortless indie-pop hooks with Pearson’s unique twangs of skewed western Americana, and accompanied by double-denim heavy visuals, shows an artist finally basking in creative control.

The year saw Pearson not only release her phenomenal debut album, but she also performed live streamed gigs from Bristol’s Louisiana and the Close Encounter Club and made appearances on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 6 Music – with track, ‘Take Back the Radio’ claiming a 4-week feature on the playlist.

2021 sees Pearson performing a number of socially distanced shows before supporting BC Camplight – a fellow Loud in Libraries artist – on his UK tour.

Audiences across the UK are discovering libraries as unique venues that give people of all ages the chance to get close to emerging artists thanks to Get It Loud In Libraries, with past gigs including Adele, Florence + The Machine and Clean Bandit. Get It Loud In Libraries provides music provision to areas missed on major tours and exists to make libraries meaningful, useful and enjoyable for young people who haven’t visited in years, if at all.

Halton Borough Council’s Alison Hoolihan said: “Katy J Pearson’s upcoming socially distanced gig at Widnes Library is a unique opportunity to see an emerging artist in an intimate venue that’s right on your doorstep.”

Tickets are £8 each and can be booked online at getitloudinlibraries.com/gigs/

Since 2005, Get it Loud in Libraries has been programming high quality, live music events in libraries in towns and cities throughout the UK. They consistently demonstrate a unique talent for identifying new and emerging artists on the cusp of breaking through to the mainstream.

The programme is delivered in geographic areas that are generally outside the major metropolitan centres, with low live music provision – especially for young people and families.. (http://getitloudinlibraries.com)

Celebrate Halton – it’s all in the title! An exciting year that aims to increase participation in high quality arts activity, helping more people benefit from the vital role culture can play in improving health and wellbeing, bringing people together, uniting communities, inspiring creativity and supporting learning.

The stimulating programme of activities will celebrate the borough’s past, present and future through everything from small community-led events to larger-scale spectaculars designed to fire the imagination, bring joy and underline what truly makes Halton a great place to live, work and visit.