"The Underdog"

4 December 2025

6 mins 20s

The Underdog

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice! How do you get to the Menuhin Hall? Er, practice! It's no guarantee of success, though—just ask the pianist (Rob Dimbleby) whose audition is cut short by Catherine Elliott's hard-to-please examiner. Next in line is Perth, Australia-born, London-based singer-songwriter Kat Penkin, though her taste in clothes makes the judge sceptical from the off ("I suppose it'll be Britney or Lady Gaga or something?").

'The Underdog' s not Britney Spears or Lady Gaga, however. Performed live with nothing held back, it’s a powerful insight into Penkin's state of mind as the music industry does a number on her ("I know the game/But I still played it wrong”) and bids to make her conform ("I've tried on all of your sweaters/Just to see which one I hate lesser on me"). She might be sitting down, but the Menuhin Hall is where Penkin takes a stand.

When your voice fills the room and your face emotes like Penkin's does, there's no need for a *busy* promo. Performer and venue form a strong double act, complemented by Katie Linard's rich grade. We feel sorry for whoever has to follow Penkin.

UK

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