Luvcat, the rising singer-songwriter from Liverpool, carries a childhood dream within her stage name. It’s a direct homage to The Cure’s iconic 1983 song, “The Lovecats,” a band that profoundly shaped her upbringing.
Her father, a devoted Cure fan, almost named her Charlotte Sometimes – a track from their third album. Though Sophie Howarth ultimately became her given name, she always secretly wished for that middle name, a longing fulfilled when she adopted the moniker Luvcat.
This year, an extraordinary opportunity awaits. Luvcat will share the stage with The Cure themselves at the Isle of Wight Festival. The thought is almost overwhelming, sparking a playful anxiety about a potential backstage encounter with Robert Smith, a figure she admits exists primarily in her imagination.
She vividly remembers her first taste of freedom at the Isle of Wight Festival, venturing out on her own. Returning now as a performer, especially on the same day as The Cure, feels surreal, a full-circle moment of immense significance.
The past year has been a whirlwind for Luvcat. She’s opened for Sabrina Carpenter at BST Hyde Park, toured Europe with The Libertines, and captivated audiences across the United States. Her debut album, *Vicious Delicious*, released on Halloween, marked a significant milestone.
A particularly cherished collaboration involved the legendary “punk poet” John Cooper Clarke, featured on her track “He’s My Man (The Anniversary).” She describes the experience as a “fever dream,” struggling to fully grasp the reality of working with such an inspiring figure.
Luvcat’s success is deeply rooted in the grassroots music scene. She acknowledges the vital role small venues played in her decade-long journey, specifically mentioning spots in Liverpool and Southeast London like The Windmill and the Old Dispensary.
However, she’s acutely aware of the current crisis facing these essential spaces. Recent reports reveal a devastating loss of 30 grassroots venues in the UK last year, along with 6,000 jobs. The decline in Liverpool is particularly heartbreaking, a trend impacting musicians everywhere.
Driven by gratitude, Luvcat actively supports these venues, returning for surprise shows whenever possible and releasing vinyl to benefit independent spaces. She believes it’s a crucial responsibility for artists to give back to the places that nurtured their early careers.
For Luvcat, supporting the grassroots isn’t just about financial aid; it’s about preserving the very foundation of the music community, ensuring future generations have the same opportunities she was fortunate enough to receive.
