Live Review: Pip Millet - Somerset House, London 11/07/2024
Pip sings soul to Somerset House on this not-so-sunny day.
The start of the show was excellent, with support act Nia Smith being a perfect opener: same genre and vibe, different UK hometowns. Pip Millet (real name Georgia but I will refer to her throughout my review as Pip) is from Manchester and Nia hails from Brixton. Nia came on quietly - I thought they were still soundchecking, but like the rest of the crowd I quickly stopped to listen as her voice got bigger and louder. Nia is lovely, she has got that relatable London accent as she talked about her music, and she stood there fashionably and relatably in khaki shorts and a white T-shirt as she belted out another soulful song. Nia seemed more interested in singing than addressing the crowd with the old “are we having a good time tonight” cliche and I’m here for it, because I’m busy listening and considering what her record would be the soundtrack for (Sunday in the garden). I couldn’t applaud as loudly as she deserved because I was holding a San Miguel and a paneer masala roll from a nearby food truck. All gigs should have food trucks.
Pip came out, also fashionably but less relatably. I would describe her outfit as all of the things I see in Urban Outfitters that I could never. Track one ‘Eating out’ from her latest EP opened the show. Her music was inspired by artists such as Joni Mitchell and you can hear a real inspiration from RnB artists. Her website cites Lauryn Hill and Jorja Smith influences (something I’d actually noted from the sound, confirmed later through research). I was reminded here of Aaliyah and TLC music videos from my childhood, and then that resonated again later in ‘Enough For You’ when I suddenly drew comparisons to Aaliyah’s “More Than A Woman’.
Track ‘Selfish’ followed and has always been a good gateway track into Pip Millett. Pip is relatable, we have all “been there” with whoever she is singing about. The drums are heavier and booming compared to recorded tracks but her voice cuts across whilst still sounding soft. It was then a contrast when she spoke to us. “Oh my Geeeeuooyud” she says, followed by cheers. “I’ve been sh*tting myself for this. What the f*ck?? You sold it out! What!?”. WTHB has seen Pip before with a shyer demeanour but she’s not shy here, just genuinely humble and grateful. She and Nia reminded me of the first time we all hear Adele in an interview, when we go “wow, she sings like that but she speaks like that? She’s just like me!” and it’s endearing and inviting. I want to be their friend. It was fully raining but Nia came out for the next song, the first of 4 guests Pip had on stage. They of course sang easily together because as I’d suggested earlier, to like Pip Millett is to like Nia smith.
Being a singer/songwriter on your own can be tricky to include variation into your act so a sudden change to cobalt blue lighting with a peach glaze was a nice adjustment, especially with the Somerset House lights matching around the edge of the square. It’s a great venue actually, our photographer pointed out how great it was to be at an outdoor gig in the rain without the underfoot squelch of mud, and I always appreciate a venue where there are endless free cubicles fully stocked with toilet paper and no queues.
After ‘These Hoes’ and ‘Husband’ the crowd were more energetic – less phones than a usual Gig but more vibing and dancing. Pip addressed us between tracks being smily and cheerful, even coping well when her guest Maverick Sabre was late on stage. “I wasn’t having a shit” he said, as Pip had joked with us he had been, “I was looking for my in-ears”. He was the same as Pip and Nia, normal bloke you’d pass in the street and wish you could dress more fashionably and then bam, amazing soulful singing. More of Pip’s older influences come through with her ‘Try A Little Tenderness’ cover. The Youtube video for this track’s top comment is from five years ago, “My God, pip if you can cover this song, you can sing anything baby” and that feels true.
A string section was next to join Pip on stage and it was beautiful. Some tracks featured strings and some featured a beachy guitar (Pip can play guitar) and as mentioned, several guests. A standout of the show was the track ‘Hard Life’ – the crowd knew the words for this and also to ‘Slow’. At times they were slower, funkier and pluckier guitar than recorded but beautiful as live versions. She asked for help from us for ‘June’ explaining she had written the song for her Nan who she’d lost. Her Manchester accent was stronger with “If you wanna help me sing this one I’d appreciate it”. The lads in front of me at the show were dancing to this one, it was sweet and heartfelt.
She thanked her managers, a “man called Ray who booked me for this show” and thanked us for coming and sticking it out in the rain (no problem, that’s what you do for your friends and that’s how Pip and her artists made you feel, wanting to be their friend and be one of the cool kids). She mentioned her latest EP ‘Tell Jimmy I’m Fine’ and ended the show sticking it to Jimmy, whilst also telling his best friend (who was somewhere in the crowd) that he hadn’t read her texts but he was invited to the after party. I was enjoying this, and she went on to say “thanks for listening to me! I chat so much sh*t, my mouth is vulgar. That needs to change” No Pip, it does not. Do not change.
Words by Jemma Sharpe
Photography by Abigail Shii
