Photo Credit: Georgia Cottrill
Words: Emilie Broad
After the release of her first album ‘Dancing at the Edge Of the World’ Scottish icon Brooke Combe has hit the stage for her 2026 tour following her successful run opening for big names such as Lionel Richie and Benson Boone. This album has a much different, but very welcome, direction from her earlier work. Brooke has revived the northern soul sound with hits like ‘How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More)’ gives us refreshingly timeless music in an era of mass produced pop. Combe’s strong vocals and distinctive sound gives her a unique edge that is hard to find nowadays, one that could stand the test of time.
Our support act for the night was Cornwall’s Abbie Piper. She was well-matched to Brooke Combe’s vibe, her vocal control was incredible. She had an early Amy Winehouse quality to her voice, very soulful and easy to listen to. Even though she is young, Abbie has a maturity to a voice that can’t be taught,I would recommend giving her a listen if you are a fan of artists like Sasha Keable. My favourite song of her set was ‘Tokeys’, an unreleased song that I need ASAP! If you are heading to Boardmasters this summer I would recommend dropping by her set and giving her a listen.
Opening up with ‘Lanewood Pines’ Brooke immediately set the groovy vibe of the evening. Instantly she commanded attention from the crowd, everytime I listen to her I am blown away by her voice, she belongs on records. This genre shift has definitely worked in her favour, it suits her voice so well and she is able to match the energy of the songs on stage. It is a performance that can’t be replicated; she is wholly unique in regards to entirety. She really makes you feel the soul of the song, the emotions she feels when she’s singing, every beat goes through her and into you. Brooke is a conductor for pure vibe, you couldn’t stop moving around, the energy was just so contagious it would be criminal to stand still. One of my favourite moments of the night was when she dedicated ‘L.M.T.F.A.’ to an audience member who was nominated by his daughter to be serenaded, it had the whole room laughing. My favourite song of the night was the closing number ‘How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More)’. This song fills me with nostalgia for an era of music I missed out on the first time it came around ( because I wasn’t alive yet). It gets me geared up for a good time, it’s a welcome change from the same-sounding songs that I hear too much of today. Hearing this live is a whole other experience that I would be quite happy returning to and I am definitely going to be visiting her set at Neighbourhood Weekender.
Taped Magazine 