Cocknbullkid, Edinburgh Picturehouse

Support acts can sometimes be chosen hastily and without thought. They can also be chosen with heavy bias towards a bands friends or labelmates. It is increasingly rare to see clear focus on picking a solid support act for a popular singers tour. A surprise, as it is the support acts job to set the tone for the entire night, thus it is important for their styles to gel. Thankfully, Marina & The Diamonds support, Cocknbullkid, was chosen perfectly. Complementing without overshadowing the style of Marina, this soulful singer stuns the bustling Edinburgh crowd and warms them up perfectly for the show that was to follow.

Taking to the stage in good time, the crowd are just settling in when a group of figures dressed in all-black bustle their way over to their instruments. Seeming intentionally discreet, the audience are almost confused when they start to play. Initially people seem to believe that the rich alto vocals are a sample, and those unaware could be led to believe that Cocknbullkid were an instrumental band. However, these theories are soon blown out the water by the arrival of the support acts centerpiece, the loud and charismatic Anita Blay. Anita, as she explains later in the show, is Cocknbullkid.

Seemlessly switching between engaging with enthusiastic fans down the front and attempting to win over an almost entirely alien crowd, Cocknbullkid seems remarkably at home with her surroundings. The music itself however is a little repetitive, fitting into a motown / swing format very comfortably, but unfortunately staying that way for the majority of the set. However, what is lost in variety is made up for in entertainment. If anyone in the crowd was not blown away by Anita’s voice then the songs themselves made for catchy enough dancefloor hits and had the audience had time to have a few more drinks, they would’ve likely gone down as even more of a hit.

The set flies by and as quickly as she came, Cocknbullkid leaves. A friendly and uplifting character in between songs, the crowd is suitably warmed up by the performance. The perfect support act, Anita compliments Marina & The Diamonds own beautiful singing style, upbeat rhythms and charistmatic wordplay, however she doesn’t overshadow them. Whilst the songs are not musical brilliance, they’re very entertaining and as a live act Cocknbullkid is someone definitely not to be missed.