Live at The Louisiana: Cats on the Moon + Armton + Nxanxcy (14th January 2025)

There's something about The Louisiana in Bristol that makes it feel kind of like a secret you're lucky to be in on. It's small, it's intimate, and on this particular night in January, it was packed with people ready to watch three very different acts take the stage — and for me, it was the first of many shows I'll be shooting this year.

Let's talk about it.

🎤 The Setup

Shooting at The Louisiana is always a bit of a balancing act. There's no pit, but it's such a compact space that getting around isn't too difficult — as long as you're okay with being right there in the crowd. And honestly? I love the intimacy of smaller venues like this, where the line between performer and audience blurs a little. Almost as if the crowd is being invited to be a part of the show themselves.

The lighting, whilst generally pretty solid for a venue of this size, leaned toward the low side overall that night. Not the toughest I've dealt with, but not ideal either. It meant staying sharp and adapting fast to grab the good light when it hit.

I shot this gig using my Canon R5 with a 50mm f/1.8 — a compact, fast lens that's great for low-light, tight-space scenarios like this one. It held up really well throughout the night.

Two things that didn't hold up so well? My ears. I forgot my earplugs — not a mistake I want to make often, especially when standing next to the speakers for three full sets.

🌙 Nxanxcy

Opening the night was Nxanxcy — a Bristol-based singer-songwriter whose sound is dreamy, vulnerable, and almost haunting in places. With nothing but a ukulele and her voice, she somehow managed to hold the entire room in the palm of her hand.

I found her lyrics raw and emotionally rich, blending storytelling with that slightly otherworldly tone that draws you in without trying too hard. It was one of those sets where the space felt quiet, even when it wasn't — people listened. Really listened.

She also had brilliant stage presence — warm, down-to-earth, and genuinely funny. She broke up the emotional weight of her songs with light-hearted banter that landed well, and her connection with the crowd felt natural and unforced. Not every solo act can hold a stage like that, but she did it effortlessly.

From a photography point of view, the simplicity of her setup worked in her favour. The focus was fully on expression — quiet, close moments mid-song, something that I felt really worked for the intimacy of her set.

Nxanxcy @ The Louisiana - Dreamy, emotional, and totally captivating.

🍑 Armton

Next up was Armton, a three-piece indie pop band with a gentle, clean sound and a whole lot of charm. Their style leans acoustic, with clear influences from artists like Cavetown and Peach Pit — that kind of soft, sunny, slightly melancholic indie that sits somewhere between chill and bittersweet.

What stood out immediately was how cohesive they felt — both musically and visually. There was a clear sense of identity here, from their overall style to their stage setup and the way they carried themselves. Their vocals were clean and tuneful, their harmonies sat nicely, and the sound was tight without feeling over-rehearsed.

They had a super likeable energy — relaxed, low-pressure, but still engaging. A few songs had a real emotional pull to them, while others leaned more upbeat and playful. It's the kind of set that sneaks up on you — one moment you're just swaying along, enjoying the vibe, and then suddenly you're completely wrapped up in it.

Photographically, they were a dream. Soft lighting worked beautifully with their sound and aesthetic, and I came away with several images that felt like they fit the music perfectly.

Armton @ The Louisiana - Light, colour, and calm.

🚀 Cats on the Moon

Headlining the night was Cats on the Moon, and right from the first few notes, it was clear they were going all in. This was their first headline gig, but you wouldn't have guessed it — they took the stage with the confidence and cohesion of a band who'd done it a dozen times.

Their sound is big, textured, and heavy on the atmosphere — that thick, effect-driven, layered shoegaze that wraps around you. Think swirling guitars, deep basslines, and vocals that float just enough above it all to feel haunting without losing clarity. It's immersive stuff — music that's designed to make you feel like you're sinking into it.

Visually, they were amazing to shoot. This is a band that is big on presence, with a great mixture of characters. Their fantastic vocalist was decked out in colour and charisma, the lead guitarist was totally lost in his playing — this is the stuff I love. But honestly, it was the drummer who completely stole the show for me this time. His energy was wild and expressive, and I ended up with what turned out to be one of my favourite shots of the night.

Cats on the Moon's set had peaks and valleys — in the best possible way, dreamy and chaotic in turn — and the crowd responded with that kind of low-key intensity you get from fans who are really into it. It felt like a proper moment for them, and I felt honoured to be there capturing it.

Cats on the Moon @ The Louisiana - Locked in, full energy, full focus.

✨ Final Thoughts

There's something about small-venue shows like this that just hits different. You feel everything up close — the volume, the nerves, the connection between artist and audience. It's raw and unpredictable, and for a photographer, that's the sweet spot.

All three acts brought something completely unique, both sonically and visually. I left with some great images, a fresh appreciation for Bristol's music scene, and a reminder that I really do need to remember my earplugs next time.

More shows coming soon. Stay tuned ✌️