Freak Slug

Freak Slug brings her unconventional blend of dreamy ’90s influences, fuzzy guitars, experimental pop, and raw self-expression to the stage on Wednesday, October 28. With doors opening at 7:30 PM and the show beginning at 8:00 PM, this live performance offers an opportunity to experience the distinctive artistic world of Manchester-born songwriter and visual artist Xenya Genovese.

Performing under the name Freak Slug, Genovese has developed a creative identity that extends across music and visual art. Her approach to songwriting began as a private, experimental outlet, with early recordings made independently and intentionally embracing imperfections, unusual sounds, and lo-fi textures. That instinct for experimentation remains an important part of Freak Slug’s music, where dreamy melodies can sit alongside grungy guitars, eccentric arrangements, electronic details, and candid lyrics.

Freak Slug’s early releases include the 2020 EP Videos, which introduced the viral track “Radio,” followed by I’m In Love and Viva La Vulva. “Radio” has accumulated more than 13.5 million Spotify streams, helping introduce her music to a growing international audience. Her debut album, I Blow Out Big Candles, represents a deeper exploration of the playful, spontaneous, and sometimes darker sides of her creative personality.

Influenced by ’90s artists including Ride and Mazzy Star, Freak Slug has developed a sound that balances nostalgic atmosphere with a distinctly modern and unconventional edge. Tracks such as “Spells,” “Witch,” “Sexy Lemon,” and “Piece of Cake” demonstrate her ability to shift between hazy textures, grunge-inspired guitars, playful vocals, and experimental production.

A significant part of Genovese’s musical evolution came after studying Fine Art in London and later moving to Barcelona. Although she had initially avoided performing live, her experience onstage in Barcelona changed her perspective and ultimately helped define Freak Slug as an artistic project. Her collaboration with Jadu Heart’s Alex Headford on I Blow Out Big Candles further supported her preference for spontaneity and creative freedom over excessive polish.

For listeners interested in alternative pop, shoegaze-inspired textures, ’90s nostalgia, and music that embraces eccentricity, the October 28 Freak Slug performance offers an engaging introduction to an artist whose work crosses comfortably between music and visual art.

Event Details: Wednesday, October 28. Doors open at 7:30 PM, and the show begins at 8:00 PM. The venue and city were not included in the supplied event details.