Beats + Strings Soul Renaissance – Hen & Chickens Theatre

The Hen and Chickens in Highbury is a charming boozer. As the sun sets, golden light floods the room, and it feels warmly bohemian. The Theatre upstairs is bijou, but a perfect theatrical attic for intense, intimate performance. BEATS + STRINGS- Soul Renaissance are a fledgeling 3-piece band from Kansas. Each member boasts a credible solo career that thrived before they got their groove on as a trio. While they did a stellar job of bringing funky brunch party vibes to their performance, the space and set up felt overly formal for the occasion. Their repertoire felt honed for a subterranean, rose-hued jazz club. They needed a space where tables are dancefloors and smashed martini glasses add notes to the soundtrack. This room was not right, but as Whitney agreed- it’s okay.

The strings referenced in the band’s name came courtesy of K’Tina, who has a Master’s in Violin Performance and cellist Robert McNichols Jr., an international concert artist. Beats were served by D Dot Prof (aka Desmond Mason), winner of the KC Jazz Music Ambassadors Award for Favourite Pianist in 2025. In this show, he hopped between a keyboard and laptop. Aside from two piano solos, he mostly looked moody in shades. Any why not? Bringing the beats is a serious business, bruv.

The set list included Marvin Gaye, Mary J Blige, Boys II Men, Luther Vandross and The Fugees. From vintage R&B to Neo-Soul, they took the core melodies and put the strings centre stage for harmonic heavy lifting. It was a minor revelation to close my eyes and hear tunes that were made for a dancefloor, bringing up ghosts of baroque.

Chamber music is largely defined by its focus on the strings and a musical dialogue between the instruments. K’Tina ‘s violin soared above expectations, while McNichols cello gave a rich undertone, creating an emotional symphony. The way they spoke to each other, using only their instruments showcased tight technical chops and artistic connection. Dipping into hip-hop, they performed The Fugees 1996 version of ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’. Made famous by Roberta Flack in ’76, the song was originally composed by Charles Fox and written by Lori Lieberman in 1971. Not only am I familiar with all the interpretations, I’m also au fait with Jonathan Hellyer’s long-running drag interpretation of the song. He changes the lyrics to, ‘Killing me softly with his schlong’ while channelling Flack’s vocals. It never fails to bring the house down.

Despite extensive familiarity with the tune, hearing it as a conversation in strings echoed a very distant era, centuries before Lauryn Hill’s took it to church. The violin and cello harmonies evoked a Medieval banquet, peppered with powdered wigs, lit by dripping candles. That was an unexpected vision.

At one point, K’Tina caught my eye and winningly tried to get me out of the seat for a dance on the stage. Regretfully, I declined the invitation. I’m open to audience participation, but there are many variables. On this occasion, it was early in the night, and I was too sober for that level of spectacle. K’Tina, obviously a seasoned pro, sat herself down beside me, then via her violin’s sweet sounds, flirted outrageously. Why do those exquisitely high notes, teased from the strings feel sexual and thrilling? Perhaps it’s a neurological response, or maybe it’s just the buzz of being serenaded by a virtuoso. That was also unexpected.

While their show lacked the jumping crowd and situational dynamics that would better reflect its ambitions, Beats + Strings served full tilt energy and big room positivity. That’s just some of medicine the world needs right now.

BEATS + STRINGS – Soul Renaissance are at Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar until 14th August 2026, https://www.thehenandchickenstheatrebar.co.uk/

Reviewer: Stewart Who?

Reviewed: 10th August 2026

North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating: