HEATON Park hosts the increasingly popular Parklife festival this weekend, bringing with it a mélange of mainstream and up-and-coming musicians. Quays News entertainment reporter, Alicia Boukersi, caught up with Londoner Izzy Bizu as part of our countdown series…
South Londoner Izzy Bizu has only been in the spotlight for a short period of time, but she has already shown her potential of becoming the new ‘it’ girl after being nominated for the Critics’ Choice Award at this year’s BRITS.
Izzy’s music style is a refreshing take on traditional jazzy-pop, using explosive choruses and luxuriously raw vocals – managing to rejuvenate the often forgotten soul scene.
Asking about her inspirations, Izzy reeled off a list of soul icons including Marvin Gaye and Ella Fitzgerald. Aware of her influences yet incessantly attempting to move forward, she emphasised that she wanted to be incomparable and unique.
The 22-year-old still likes her modern music however, referring to Adele and Years & Years as some of her favourites. She said: “I love Years & Years, I think they’ll be really cool to watch at Parklife”.
Asking her how she felt about her own set, she couldn’t contain her clear excitement.
I’m super excited. I think it will be amazing. It’s my first time playing there so I’m really looking forward to it”.
“My set’s going to be groovy,” Izzy informed me. “There’s going to be a lot of up tempo songs like the new album”.
Her much-anticipated debut album was initially meant to be out this month, but song alterations have halted proceedings until September. Izzy, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, said: “I’m just putting finishing touches on it. And this way, everyone gets the album at the same time”.
A little dejectedly, newly released single with Honne, ‘Someone That Loves You’ will not be part of her Parklife set.
Izzy explained: “I really wish I could play it, but it’s more suited as a duet so I’m thinking of playing it at Glastonbury”.
Instead, Izzy will be treating the audience to her breakthrough track ‘White Tiger‘ which achieved vast viral success after gaining support from Radio 1’s veteran presenter, Annie Mac.
The song provides a surging adrenalin rush of propulsive rhythmic beats chased by an immense vocal hook. It is sure to get her Manchester fans dancing in the crowd.
Referring to Manchester as a place to perform, Izzy said: “I love it, it’s so charming. The vibes up here are great”.
Izzy is no novice when it comes to festivals, previously capturing the hearts of thousands of music fans at Glastonbury and Latitude. She stated that she preferred performing at festivals rather than gigs, although admittedly it is more nerve-wracking.
“With gigs you have more time to prepare and it’s more intimate,” she admitted.
“But festivals are exhilarating. I love that you’re thrown in the deep end”.
Asking her what to expect of the future, she told Quays News her plans to tour Europe: “I’ll be going from London to Paris to Amsterdam in September, it’s definitely going to be busy.”
She has also just recorded the theme tune for the BBC’s Euro 2016 coverage, which she described as being a “crazy experience, but I can’t wait for people to hear it”.
Her stock in the industry is rising at a rapid rate and Parklife 2016 will show to the masses just why she is so in-demand right now.
By Alicia Boukersi
@alicia_boukersi
If you have missed any of the previous ‘Countdown to Parklife’ features you can catch them here:
Day One – Blossoms
Day Two – Love Ssega
Day Three – Grace
Recent Comments