In conversation with Mandy Watson: “Music is our social glue – it transcends language”

Mandy Watson, the leading lady of Cloudbusting – Classical Kate Bush, took the time to sit down with me the other day to discuss all things music. We chatted about the artistry which inspired her, Bush’s Stranger Things 4 revival, Wuthering Heights, and the effort it takes to be a tribute artist… 

Watson, like all of us, has always had a passion for music, recalling “road trips with a cassette on in the car”, the radio “always on”. Despite her initial fascination, it wasn’t until later in her life that she came to pursue creation herself, blending orchestral grandeur with Kate Bush’s music “purely out of love for her work”, the diversity and unparalleled storytelling something that she felt needed more appreciation. Watson first came across Bush when she performed ‘Wuthering Heights’ on Top Of The Pops in 1978, growing up listening to her music and finding herself “fall[ ing ] in love with it all over again” following the creation of Cloudbusting.

Her sonic illustrations are underscored with themes of feminism, escapism, and autonomy, seemingly setting her apart from other artists of the time

Cloudbusting is a band, led by Watson, “known for [ their ] authentic five-piece band arrangements”, paying homage to the work Bush devoted her life to across their 500+ shows to date, however, as of late, their performances have taken on a much bigger scale. Watson cited the move to performing alongside a symphony orchestra as “a natural progression”, the “inherent cinematic quality” of Bush’s discography “always meant to be this big”, and I cannot help but agree. Bush has always been spoken about as eccentric and wild, yet there is an undeniable sense her music is greater than it seems, her sonic illustrations are underscored with themes of feminism, escapism, and autonomy, seemingly setting her apart from other artists of the time.  

Watson and her colleagues simply bring these footnotes to the forefront of people’s perceptions, revealing the “new layers and unheard dialects within the music”, accompanied by powerful, bespoke arrangements by the BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Rob Lane. Both performing and witnessing this orchestral spectacle is “uniquely spiritual”, casting recognition on the “absolute depth of Bush’s genius”: these comments paralleled Watson’s evident adoration of Bush, unable to name her favourite work despite mentioning ‘The Saxophone Song’, ‘Houdini’, and ‘Cloudbusting’ as exceptionally emotionally multifaceted. 

The band performed as five for over ten years, conversation surrounding their classical transformation only beginning in 2023 once they “felt the time was right and were ready to do justice to the project”. After mastering Bush’s repertoire and shortlisting their hopeful setlist, they approached the West London Sinfonia in pursuit of their support, by whom they were told they were “pushing against an open door”, the project falling into place like dominoes soon after. Following just three Classical Kate Bush shows in 2025, debuting their new style, the band are set to take on another London show in November, before embarking on a 2027 tour. Clouds busted wider than ever; the big sky became even bigger.  

It’s both mind-blowing and humbling

Mandy Watson

Reflecting on her live performances, Watson revealed how many audience members thanked them, loving how they played with such “authenticity and respect”, tracks which became synonymous with the lives of so many fans, interwoven amongst individual storylines suddenly appearing in front of their eyes, perfectly encapsulated: “it’s both mind-blowing and humbling”. The community Bush has created over her career has the opportunity to be brought together in a “one of a kind” experience, allowing them to feel, believe, and unite in a way they never could have before.  

The Kate Bush fandom grew astronomically in 2022 following the release of Stranger Things 4, when ‘Running Up That Hill’ soundtracked Max’s attempt to escape from Vecna as she runs through the Upside Down, clutching for a connection to reality. On the revival, Watson and the band were struck with a “we’re down with the kids now!” realisation, excited to see the track “take the world by storm” as fans themselves. Despite already seeing younger audience members coming to shows after being raised by Bush-adoring parents, there was a definite increase in the attendance of a younger demographic after the iconic scene reached fans’ screens. 

Moreover, you may not know the title of Bush’s debut track, but it was influenced by a piece of 19th-century literature which inspired a newly-release film, the lyrics detailing Catherine’s longing for Heathcliff, repetition in the chorus paralleling this yearning. That’s right: ‘Wuthering Heights’. Emerald Fennell’s screen adaptation featuring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi has certainly sparked controversy, so I wanted to see what Watson thought of the film – “whilst it’s a thrill to see the words ‘Wuthering Heights’ everywhere you turn, I have to remind myself that it’s a Hollywood blockbuster”. Her uncertainty regarding the quality of the film depiction, however, doesn’t undermine Watson’s love for Bush, her only hoping the film “evokes the same emotional, dramatic intensity found in Kate’s groundbreaking song”. 

Music is our social glue – it transcends language

Mandy Watson

Taking Bush’s music to the stage as Cloudbusting has done is a huge step, potentially laying the groundwork for a Kate Bush jukebox musical to be created; her music is “inherently theatrical”, blending “into a cohesive narrative experience”. It’s definitely a good idea if I do say so myself, and it seemed Watson agreed, politely refusing to share her ideas with me – “not yet anyway!”. Alternatively, a perspective she did share with me, and one I am very grateful she did, is summed up perfectly into just eight words: “music is our social glue – it transcends language”. The healing power of music, as it guides you through nostalgia, turmoil, joy, and confusion, is undeniable, and “there is no better music than Kate’s” to give the greatest extent of restoration possible.  

The music industry thrives on original work, especially in contemporary society, yet the talent of cover artists ought not to be understated. Watson argued that while “there has been the perception of a lack of creativity”, society has changed their perspective, beginning to “appreciate the work that goes into performing songs by such genius artists”. Cloudbusting insists to audiences that there is, and only ever will be, one Kate Bush, not attempting to “impersonate or make a pastiche” but simply “bring her studio work to life”. She urged sceptical Bush fans to “take the risk; yay-ee-yoh” – the original “vinyl will still be sat on the turntable when you get home”, but the exhilaration achieved by the live experience is something Cloudbusting do exquisitely, while maintaining that “Kate’s original work is the best!”.  

It was a pleasure speaking to Mandy Watson about the “labour of love” that is Cloudbusting. It is vividly clear that the band is “very proud of what [ they ] achieved” in bringing the performance to a bigger scale, something fans have “never seen before”. I look forward to seeing where Watson and her crew head next, and how the show will manifest on the growing stage!