York singer-songwriter Beth McCarthy is continuing on her path to world domination.
It’s set to be a whirlwind few months for Beth as she’s getting ready to support Caity Baser on tour, setting off on her own UK and Europe tour, and performing at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
YorkMix caught up with Beth to chat about her upcoming plans, new EP and being a bisexual icon.
For Beth, music has been a lifelong love. Her journey up till now started with gigging around pubs and clubs when they were 13, busking on the streets of York, appeared on the first series of TV singing competition The Voice in 2014, went viral on TikTok, accumulated millions of streams for her singles, released her latest EP in February of this year – and their career is only heading upwards.
From this Sunday, Beth will be supporting Caity Baser on her UK and Ireland tour.
“It’s my first time in Ireland and Scotland, officially, on this tour, and Newcastle as well,” Beth told YorkMix. “It’s going to be a whole set of new people which will be really fun.
“I’m super excited. I love Caity, and she’s a really good person who’s putting fun out into the world. It’ll be great to get on stage with her.”
Then, in May, Beth will be setting out on her “biggest tour yet.
“I’m headlining for the first time in Europe, which I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but all of the venues we’ve had to upgrade for the Europe shows because so many people wanted to come, which was pretty crazy.
“It’s going to be a lot of energy – that’s what I want to get out of the tour. I think the music that I’m putting out has really connected with the LGBT community and I’m hoping these shows will feel like a safe space in some way.”
The UK dates for the tour have also almost completely sold out.
“My biggest show is going to be the London one at Heaven which is a really iconic venue, and I go there a lot and have seen loads of gigs there so to actually be on that stage myself is pretty wild.”
As a queer artist herself, Beth is proud to create queer music for a queer audience.
“For me, this EP (IDK How To Talk To Girls) was very deliberately queer and I wanted it that way because I’m openly and very comfortably bisexual. I wrote the song IDK How To Talk To Girls and it felt really good to be unapologetic about singing about a girl as a girl.
“Having songs that represented my feelings was really important. This EP was like a chronological journey of me figuring myself out with my experiences with girls – and it doesn’t matter how far along your journey you are, it’s still equally as valid as everybody else.”
For this tour, it’s going to be all about making connections with the audience.
“I think it’s going to be a whole different sense of togetherness, and I’m really excited for that.
“I also definitely want to get my first sign this tour – I want someone to bring a sign! I’m hoping I get something really chaotic.”
It was also announced recently that Beth will be performing at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May, which was revealed to her live on air as a big surprise.
“I didn’t see it coming whatsoever. I’ve had a really great relationship with BBC Introducing York for a long time, and Jericho Keys has been such a massive supporter of mine – he’s been there through all the eras of Beth McCarthy.
“He threw it in there while he was talking to me on air and I cried. It’s one of those things that you always dream of doing – that’s a really big milestone.”
Beth does plan to return to York at some point but says “I have a little bit more in me until the big return happens.
“My next move is the Barbican – that would be the full circle for me. That would be the dream to come back and play York Barbican.”
The main goal for Beth is to keep touring and keep performing.
“That’s why I do music. I’m hoping to get out to America at some point in the near future, and to get out to Australia.”
So what will the next era of Beth McCarthy look like?
“I have a lot coming up – it will definitely continue to be queer but I’m really owning the bi thing. I feel there’s such little representation of that particular part of the community and I’m just really excited to represent people a bit more in the grey area.”
To stay updated with Beth McCarthy, check out her Instagram, TikTok, and website.
