Liverpool Songstress Luvcat Reveals Lifelong Cure Fandom and Stage Name Inspiration
Rising Liverpool musician Luvcat has confessed she would likely faint if she encountered The Cure's iconic frontman Robert Smith backstage. The 29-year-old artist, whose real name is Sophie Howarth, adopted her stage moniker as a direct homage to the legendary rock band's 1983 hit single The Lovecats. This summer, she will share the stage with her musical heroes at the prestigious Isle of Wight Festival in June, marking a full-circle moment in her career.
A Childhood Shaped by Goth Rock Legends
Speaking exclusively at The Cure photography exhibition held at London's Iconic Images Gallery, Luvcat disclosed to Metro that her father originally wanted to name her Charlotte Sometimes, after a track from The Cure's third album Faith. "They eventually decided on calling me Sophie," she revealed. "All my life I wished I had the middle name Sometimes. When I eventually named myself Luvcat, it felt like I was returning to that connection."
She elaborated on her deep-rooted fandom, explaining: "My dad brainwashed me from a very young age, educating me extensively about The Cure. I was always the youngest person at their concerts growing up, and I took immense pride in that distinction."
Festival Nerves and Career Milestones
The upcoming Isle of Wight Festival holds particular significance for Luvcat, as it was the first festival she attended away from home. "It feels like the craziest thing in the world to be going back and playing on the same day as The Cure," she expressed with palpable excitement. "I'm terrified I might see Robert somewhere backstage because, at this point, he exists only in my imagination. I'm terrified to meet him, but hopefully one day I can. I don't know what I'd say – I'd probably just faint!"
Luvcat enjoyed a remarkably successful 2025, which saw her support Sabrina Carpenter during her BST Hyde Park performances, embark on a European tour with The Libertines, and undertake a comprehensive tour across the United States. Her debut album, Vicious Delicious, was released on Halloween, adding to her growing discography.
One standout collaboration featured legendary 'punk poet' John Cooper Clarke on her track He's My Man (The Anniversary). Reflecting on this experience, Luvcat described it as akin to a "fever dream," adding: "I can't fully accept that it really happened because he's such a totally intoxicating character to be around."
Grassroots Venue Advocacy and Industry Concerns
Metro's conversation with Luvcat occurred shortly after the Music Venue Trust released its 2025 annual report, which highlighted the alarming closure of 30 grassroots music venues across the UK, resulting in approximately 6,000 job losses in just one year. Luvcat spoke passionately about this crisis, emphasising her personal connection to these vital spaces.
"The reason my career transformed after a decade of struggle was through performing at grassroots venues," she stated. "It started with venues in Liverpool, then moved to southeast London spots like The Windmill and the Old Dispensary. Liverpool barely has any left now; it's impacting everyone severely, and it's truly heartbreaking."
She outlined her ongoing efforts to support these establishments: "We do everything we can to help them. I always try to return and perform surprise shows whenever possible, as frequently as I can. We also release vinyl records specifically to support independent venues. It's absolutely crucial that artists, as they advance in their careers, go back and support the very places that gave them their initial opportunities."
Looking Ahead to 2026
As Luvcat prepares for her Isle of Wight Festival appearance alongside The Cure, her story underscores the enduring influence of iconic bands on new generations of musicians. Her advocacy for grassroots venues adds an important dimension to her rising profile, highlighting the interconnectedness of artistic inspiration and live music infrastructure. With her debut album gaining traction and major festival slots secured, 2026 promises to be another landmark year for this dedicated Liverpudlian artist.
