Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Like many young women before her in the Liverpool area, Maddie Stenberg has dreams, it shines in her eyes and shivers with anticipation in her voice as she prepares to hit the stage, the front of the room. It is an anticipation which is sincere and raw, one that cannot and should be contained. Like many young women, the confidence oozes out of her, not in way that would be noticeable at first, not at least till you hear her sing and then the teenage cool comes rushing out and the audience, timid at first, soon understands what beats in her heart.

The Everyman, the theatre of different and diverse dreams, of allowing the freedom of expression, even down and deep underground in its bistro bar, however instead of serving up meals and offering condiments, this was a night for Maddie Stenberg to offer a slice of her own musical soul and receive well earned comments and compliments in return.

The young musician’s soul was always going to leave the building intact but the sharing of such youthful illumination, of wisdom in such tender thoughts, is on a par with so many others who will make the new century their own, their birthright supplied by a city that hears the words as much as it allows the music to seep into their veins; a city once built on the sound of afar to guide the music, now happily giving an open handed kindness and big hearted enthusiastic welcome to the next generation.

Joe Jackson, famed 80s musician, once noted that it’s different for girls, in the world of musicianship and the arts it is hopefully one that the gap is closing, that deep lyrical expression is one that can be captured and framed just as easily by either gender, for Maddie Stenberg, like many of her generation already creating waves, that is certainly very true.

With four songs at her disposal, Ms. Stenberg gave the mid week crowd a performance that was more than enjoyable, it was generous and faultless and one that kicked out with pride. With Rock And Roll On Weekdays, the articulation of Change Is On Its Way, Make Believe and Mad Love all finding their way to the heart of the matter, this young woman is more than ready to take the next step, she is, like many of her generation, already proving herself to be a complete and rounded musician and artist.

Good times are ahead for both Liverpool audiences and Maddie Stenberg.

Ian D. Hall