Sienna Spiro benefit concert brings puppies and pop to Soho Sessions
Sienna Spiro performed for about 150 guests at Soho Sessions to support North Shore Animal League America, Variety reported.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Sienna Spiro brought a small-room showcase to New York for a Sienna Spiro benefit concert backing North Shore Animal League America, with Variety reporting that the British singer played to an invite-only crowd of about 150 people at Soho Sessions.
The 20-year-old performer, whose debut album Visitor arrived earlier in July, built much of the set around that record, according to Variety’s Jem Aswad. The night also included three covers: “Hard to Handle,” the R&B song later made a hit by the Black Crowes, Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and the standard “Autumn Leaves.”
The beneficiary was North Shore Animal League America, the Long Island-based rescue and adoption organization. Variety reported that the group even brought two puppies to the event as part of the charity push.
What was the Sienna Spiro benefit concert for?
The concert raised attention and support for North Shore Animal League America. The organization says it is the world’s largest and longest-running no-kill animal rescue and adoption group.
Spiro’s appearance came during a buzzy stretch for the singer. Variety described her as a fast-rising British artist and noted that she is often compared with Adele, while also reporting that Spiro spoke during the show about Nina Simone’s influence on her singing.
Variety’s account praised Spiro’s control and range, saying her power as a vocalist goes beyond what many might expect from an artist her age. The set gave the room a close-up look at the voice behind Visitor, plus a quick tour through older soul, hip-hop-era R&B and a classic ballad.
What are Soho Sessions?
Soho Sessions is an invite-only concert series in New York that pairs small performances with charity fundraising. Variety reported that each show benefits a different cause.
The concerts are staged on a floor of a commercial building that once housed Chung King Studios, the New York recording hub associated with records by Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy, according to Variety.
The series is organized by producers Greg Williamson and Nicole Rechter. Variety reported that the pair have also worked on other concert projects, including Love Rocks NYC with John Varvatos and Talkhouse Jams.
Williamson and Rechter estimate that their shows have helped generate more than $50 million for charity, Variety reported. Soho Sessions has previously hosted artists including Keith Richards, Mavis Staples, Steve Earle, Gary Clark Jr., Taj Mahal, Yola, Susan Tedeschi, Lucius and Brittney Spencer.
Past beneficiaries of the series have included Everytown for Gun Safety, Music Will, the National Alliance on Mental Illness/Hawaii after the Lahaina fire, and other organizations, according to Variety.
For Spiro, the animal-league show added a low-capacity, high-purpose stop to a busy album month. For the puppies, it was a night at the gig with a very clear job: remind the room exactly who the fundraiser was for.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.