By Josie Hodgson, News Co-Editor
Emerging from the vibrant Canadian music scene, Goldie Boutilier is finally beginning to achieve the recognition that she deserves. In an evening at Rough Trade, her songs came to life in an intimate performance showcasing her artistic maturity and development after years of experimentation.
Dressed in denim, rocking her iconic retro sunglasses, and exuding her striking cowboy aesthetic (fitting, given her most popular song, Cowboy, Gangster Politician), Boutilier's performance on the evening of Monday 24th February at Rough Trade was a masterpiece from start to finish. As the third stop of her tour around Europe and the US (which continues until July), the atmosphere felt like that of an intimate gathering of kindred spirits - a collection of around 150 Bristol-based fans, with some sporting cowboy hats themselves.
Formerly known as My Name is Kay, Boutilier is making waves in the music scene, and her talent is only just beginning to shine. After rebranding from her previous electro-pop persona, Boutilier has clearly found her voice: a fascinating blend of classic Hollywood glamour and '70s country, which makes her music feel like the soundtrack to a lost film noir. Not dissimilar to the music of Lana Del Rey and Stevie Nicks, Boutilier combines poetic lyricism with delicate articulation, creating a melancholic grandeur which is both comforting and enchanting.
Boutilier retained a deeply intimate and personal vibe throughout the evening at Rough Trade, showcasing her eclectic blend of alt-country, pop and rock.
Boutilier was quick to acknowledge and appreciate her gratitude to her crowd throughout the night for their enthusiasm throughout her musical journey, sharing incredibly candid, authentic and heartfelt reflections on her experiences over the past decade.
'I thought I was never going to have my moment in my career,' she admitted, pausing as the weight of that realisation settled in between songs towards the beginning of the evening. 'But look at me now - touring across Europe.' The crowd cheered in agreement, clearly recognising her sheer perseverance. She was quick to attribute this success to her fans: 'It was you, all of you, who made this happen.'
The evening felt less of a performance and more of a private living-room sing-a-long, with Boutilier inviting the crowd to 'come in closer' – resulting in typically awkward, stiff British shuffling towards the stage. Boutilier's performance was natural, showcasing her inherent talent for performance and effortless dancing.
Accompanied by her female guitarist and drummer, Boutilier performed a number of songs from her latest EP, The Actress, released in September 2024. Her live rendition of her latest songs, The Rhinestone Ceiling, The Angel And The Saint and The Lineup in particular showcased Boutilier's cemented artistic maturity and versatility after years of experimentation, name changes and time spent 'planning in Canada'.
Boutilier's live vocals sounded every bit like her studio recordings - if not, even better. Her uncanny wit and expressive storytelling wove seamlessly into her performance, painting vivid scenes that brought each song to life, and blurred the boundaries between where fact ends and fiction begins.
Ranging from introducing a song about her now-incarcerated uncle, to one of poisoning a lover for money, her songs were both darkly whimsical and deeply evocative.
However, it was clear that a number of her more personal songs resonated deeply with the audience - many of whom expressed loudly that they had been fans from the start. The Ways I Punish Myself was particularly popular with the crowd, with many raising their hands in solidarity with Boutilier when singing 'I'll be harder on myself / Than anyone could ever be'.
Similarly, The Rhinestone Ceiling – a dreamy, melancholic song filled with longing and heartbreak, evoking a sense of yearning for something just out of reach – was clearly popular. Boutilier’s vocals were sultry yet vulnerable, painting vivid imagery of sequins, sorrow, and ambition.
Nonetheless, Boutilier's more delicate songs did not stop the audience from rocking to her more upbeat songs. Good Ol Days, one of her particularly energetic performances – a sun-drenched ode to nostalgia, tinged with both warmth and melancholy – captures a beautifully confusing romanticisation of her difficult past, where fondness and trouble intertwine, and saw many arms in the air.
Boutilier also sang a number of covers, including Rodriguez's Sugar Man, which served as a gentle mid-way break in her performance.
Rough Trade’s intimate setting was the perfect backdrop for such a personal performance, amplifying the vulnerability and charisma that make Goldie Boutilier such a compelling artist.
With a distinct aesthetic, a voice that bridges eras, and an effortless knack for connecting with her audience, Boutilier is rapidly becoming one of the most intriguing musicians in the current music landscape.
The Actress has clearly cemented her place as one of the most intoxicating voices in music today, and her musical outreach is now spanning across continents - likely thanks to the success of Cowboy, Gangster, Politician, which currently has been streamed 11 million times on Spotify alone.
Featured Image: Josie HodgsonWhat are you expecting next from Goldie Boutilier?
