Twinnie @ The Crescent, York – 28/03/26

Twinnie @ The Crescent York - 28-03-26

Twinnie returned to York’s Crescent Community Club for a homecoming show that balanced familiarity with clear progression, performing to a largely female crowd in full country attire and in front of friends and family.

Words and Photos - John Hayhurst

A return to York carries weight for Twinnie, and at The Crescent it felt personal from the outset. The room was noticeably dominated by women—many in country-style dresses and cowboy boots—which gave the night a clear sense of identity before a note had even been played. There was also a strong local presence beyond the usual crowd; much of Twinnie’s family were in attendance, adding another layer to what already felt like more than a routine date on the ‘Dirt Road Disco Tour’.

Bonner Black opened with an acoustic set that kept things simple and direct. Her focus stayed on the songs, with a friendly delivery that didn’t push too hard but still held attention. Between tracks, she showed an easy, natural rapport with the audience, including a brief and unexpected aside about recently getting into bird watching, a bit niche perhaps but these things go down well in a live setting. A cover of ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac stood out, performed without excess and suited to her voice, she admitted Stevie Nicks was her idol.

When Twinnie took the stage, the response was immediate. Dressed in a white lace outfit with a structured bodice and black cowboy boots, she cut a distinct figure under the venue’s red or blue lighting.

The look reflected the balance in her music—country elements alongside a more polished pop presentation—without feeling too overworked. Spiritually she’s Shania Twain’s god-daughter, but actually has a real acting and musical theatre pedigree to envy most country starlets. Raised in the Romani Travelling community, her music is rooted in authenticity and storytelling.

Her set moved between guitar-led sections and moments focused entirely on those perfect vocals, which gave it shape without breaking momentum. The setlist drew from Something We Used to Say, the album released in 2024, alongside tracks that have become fixtures of her live shows, including “Better When I’m Drunk,” “Bad Man,” “Breathe,” and “I Love You Now Change.” Also newest single “Midnight Company” gets an airing, she was made for this stage (and bigger) and owns it completely.

There was a clear awareness of being in her hometown, the visible presence of family in the crowd, but this didn’t faze her, her background in performance showed in how she handled the room—measured, controlled, this was a highly professional performance.

The Crescent’s size worked in favour of both artists. Bonner Black’s quieter approach carried without issue, and Twinnie’s set held its focus throughout. Tonight felt like a confirmation of progress. Twinnie’s position within UK country-pop genre continues to build, and this was a clear, well-executed return to where it all started for her.