Pioneering, challenging and unshackled by convention, Kate Bush is a musical genre of her own. Keeping her legacy alive and winning critical acclaim across the UK is Cornwall/Devon-based five-piece Cloudbusting, endorsed by musicians who have worked with Kate and who joined the band on stage in a London gig.

On Friday (March 24), Calstock Arts is host to The Kate Bush Song Book, a pared down, acoustic version of the show featuring Cloudbusting’s Mandy Watson on vocals and Michael Mayell on piano. The fact that this venue has never booked a tribute act before suggests how good this one is.

The performance is a more intimate take on Kate’s hits such as Hounds of Love, ‘This Woman’s Work’ and of course ‘Wuthering Heights’.

‘It also gives us an opportunity to explore some of her lesser-known, more mysterious songs,’ explains Michael. ‘It all starts with just Kate, her imagination and her piano. It is this essence we’re exploring with the Song Book.’

Michael Mayell, on keyboards, has said of himself: ‘Other ten year-olds were out playing football. I was on the piano picking out chord progressions from Never Forever or banging out ‘Sat In Your Lap’ on pots and pans in the kitchen.’

It’s paid off for what has been described as the best Kate Bush tribute band available.

Of course, none of their huge success would be possible without the sublime voice of Mandy Watson, who gathers praise everywhere she sings.

The performance includes two full sets from across Kate’s career, interspersed with personal reflections and background to the songs from Mandy and Michael.

‘Mandy’s vocals were so good, I could have been listening to Kate herself!’

Preston Heyman, Kate’s drummer.

‘...Mandy Watson – the voice of Kate – she’s remarkable, a genuine gateway to Kate’s own sound while allowing just enough of her own engaging personality to peek through.’

The Talkhouse

‘Mandy has a wondrous voice, not so much impersonating Kate as interpreting her in all La Bush’s bare-footed, long-skirted loveliness.’

William Telford, Plymouth Herald

‘Mandy Watson (matches) Bush’s ridiculously large range and acrobatic melodies note-for-note. She recreates every nuance of Bush’s versatile and expressive singing.’

Callum Martin-Moore, Impact