2024 (Live Review)

September 28, 2024 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, Classic Rock, Country, Country Rock, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

Nick Lowe seemed genuinely surprised that so many folks had come out on a Tuesday night for the first show of his UK tour at the London Palladium. It was standing room only at the 2200+ capacity venue. This says much about the high esteem in which Nick Lowe is held as an artist and songwriter. From his early days in Brinsley Schwartz and late 70s solo chart success, Rockpile with Dave Edmunds and on through the critically acclaimed Brentford Trilogy of albums to his latest work with Los Straightjackets, Lowe has been a mainstay of British music for fifty years. Lowe is also well known for his production work in the 80s with the Stiff record label that included ‘New Rose’ for The Damned and a run of classic albums for Elvis Costello. I’m pleased to report that, even at 75, Lowe shows no signs of slowing down, and he looks to be enjoying keeping things fresh with Los Straitjackets.

Jesse Malin + Trapper Schoepp - The Garage, London 17/02/2023

February 23, 2023 by David Vousden in Americana, Alternative Rock, Country, Folk, Singer Songwriter, Live

The Garage in London’s Highbury area is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, and there are few better places to see a live band in the capital. Originally a Temperance Billiard Hall, the venue supposedly served great pies but was typical of such establishments back in the day attracted an interestingly varied clientele (In my head, I’m picturing a scene from Get Carter or The Krays). It became a venue in 1993, hence the anniversary, with Pulp as one of the first big-name acts to appear. On my arrival, a decent-sized, yet orderly, queue is snaking its way down the street, but I’m still able to get in for an unfathomable, to me, early start to find Trapper Schoepp is already in full swing. I’d forgotten how good The Garage was until this evening, as it’s been a few years since we’ve crossed paths, but with friendly door staff and clear as a bell sound, things are definitely looking good.

Canada House - Moth Club, London Jan 24th 2023

February 02, 2023 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

On a bitterly cold January night, the RGM team are in London’s Hackney, where I’m pleased to report, despite the multiple issues of recent years, live music is thriving with a wide variety of venues still hanging in there. Moth Club is one such venue, tucked away just off the main street but still, very much, part of the bustling Hackney ambience. The reason for our visit this evening is the first of two nights showcasing some of the very best Americana and Roots music Canada has to offer as part of Americana UK Music Week (that’s Americana Fest to you and me) hosted by CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) in partnership with Music PEI. Twelve acts over two days with a good mix of old favourites and new blood, so let’s dig in to Canada House.

Black Deer Festival 2022 - Eridge Park, Kent

July 19, 2022 by Rich Barnard in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Classic Rock, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Rock, Stoner, World Music

My first experience of standing tightly crowded in a field for the love of music was not the euphoric epiphany it promised to be. To be fair, it was a long, long time ago; I was fifteen and fragile. Some of my fellow patrons were fearless and fighty. I retreated to a safe spot and tried not to think of the Battle of the Somme. Somewhere in a different postcode, I could vaguely make out one of my favourite bands doing their thing.

Amigo The Devil - Hoxton Hall, London 15.02.2020

February 18, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Country, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

For the second weekend in a row, the UK was in the grip of a named storm as the RGM team made their way to Hoxton Hall in London. The onset of Storm Dennis, which would bring driving rain and treacherous winds to the majority of the country wasn’t going to put us off and proved rather fitting as Amigo The Devil seems very comfortable with the dark and the desolate.

Black Deer Festival 2019 - June 23rd (Day Three)

July 08, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

The RGM team doubled in size for day three of Black Deer in an effort to reach into even more of the many nooks and crannies from which live music could be heard floating around the site. On arrival, RGM and Black Deer favourite The Sheepdogs were doing their thing on the main stage (impressive as they’d closed the Supajam tent the previous evening). The Sheepdogs were again going down a storm with ‘Nobody’ a perfect complement to a sunny day with its Paul McCartney & Wings tribute/pastiche breakdown and no less than three guitarists trading musical blows to complete their set. A great start to the day.

Black Deer Festival 2019 - June 22nd (Day Two)

July 03, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Alternative Rock, Americana, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Soundtrack

Day two at Black Deer broke bright and sunny, which always does wonders for the spirit and rejuvenates a tired mind and body. As usual, where to start our musical journey was a tough choice, but Jessie Buckley won the day, mainly on the strength of positive feedback from the photographers in the pit. This feedback turned out to be a very good tip, as Buckley and her excellent band won over a crowd that didn’t really need to be won over, as she had them in the palm of her hand from the off.

Black Deer Festival 2019 - June 21st (Day One)

July 01, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Blues, Classic Rock, Country Rock, Country, Folk, Hard Rock, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Southern Rock, Stoner, Psych

For the first day of the annual Black Deer Festival, the gods have been kind and the sun is trying to break through the clouds. The UK is back in love with country music and all things Americana - at least on a musical level. This level of acceptance for the genre has not been seen on our shores since Dolly, Kenny and Tammy topped the charts and the Wembley Country Music festival was a must-see on BBC2. Black Deer is only in its sophomore year but it already feels like a must do on the crowded festival calendar.

The Sheepdogs - The Borderline, London 05/11/2018

November 12, 2018 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Country, Live Review, Country Rock

With so much music available these days it’s very easy for a band to slip between the cracks. It’s going to happen no matter how hard you try to keep your finger on the pulse. Until a recent email (thanks Tom) arrived in the RGM inbox with an invite to check out The Sheepdogs I was totally in the dark. The band name doesn’t exactly help as it brings to mind visions of that old British TV institution ‘One Man and his Dog’ but any such apprehensions were blown away by the road-hardened Canadian quintets perfect mix of classic and country rock which proved to be a total joy.

BluesFest - Zac Brown Band + Beth Hart, The O2 London 27/10/2018

October 29, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, Country, Live

On what feels like the first cold night of the year your RGM scribe is at the O2 in London for the Zac Brown Band and Beth Hart. Tonight's show is part of the annual BluesFest which has found a home at the O2 and is now in its sixth year. With ticket in hand, airport-style security negotiated and a sharp intake of breath at the beer prices I'm in my seat bright and early for Beth Hart to get things started.

Ruston Kelly + Ferris & Sylvester - The Slaughtered Lamb, London 17/09/2018 (Live Review).

September 19, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

Singer-somgwriter Ruston Kelly is in London promoting his excellent debut album ‘Dying Star’ with a low key show at the bijou Slaughtered Lamb. Needless to say the gig is sold-out and it’s pretty obvious the crowd are expecting good things long before Kelly ambles on stage.

Mary Chapin Carpenter + Emily Barker - Barbican Theatre, London (15/05/18)

May 17, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

The Barbican complex in London seems to be undergoing something of a renaissance in recent times as people are able to see past the Brutalist 70’s Architecture and enjoy the large open communal areas, the conservatory (a lush tropical garden in the concrete bowels… who knew), cinemas and a wonderfully varied musical palate. Don’t get me wrong, the covered walk from Barbican Station past the car parks is beyond ugly and the convoluted journey down multiple levels to find the correct area of the actual venue could be a little intimidating, but the concert hall is superb with comfy seats, plenty of legroom (I’m 6’ 2”), great sightlines and impressively clear sound. It was also refreshing to find a ban on photography and mobile phones, people actually had to pay attention to the acts which made a welcome change.

The Texas Gentlemen + Howard Rose - Bush Hall, London (07.02.18)

February 09, 2018 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, Classic Rock, Country, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

My introduction to the band of musicians that form the Texas Gentlemen was via Paul Cauthen’s excellent ‘My Gospel’ album. Browsing the credits, which is pretty refreshing to be able to do in this digital age, and the names of Beau Patrick Bedford, for his terrific production work, and guitarist Nik Lee stood out. Bedford is effectively the leader of The Texas Gentlemen a band of session musicians who’ve become go-to players for a host of artists including Joe Ely and Kris Kristofferson, which really tells you all you need to know about how good these guys are. With so many great players on tap, eleven Texas Gentlemen worked on ‘TX Jelly’ their debut album; you’re never quite sure who’ll turn up which is bound to keep things interesting.

The Mavericks - London Palladium (03.02.18)

February 05, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Live Review, Country

I'm bright and early for tonight's entertainment, but there's already a really large crowd massed outside the London Palladium and it's not even Sunday (a small in-joke for those of us of a certain age). The Palladium is one of those iconic West End venues that slip in a gig or two to seemingly allow the cast of their latest musical a night off and tonight the 2200+ capacity venue is playing host to The Mavericks, which is an impressive achievement for a band who had their biggest UK hit back in 1998. Tonight's crowd obviously know their stuff as The Mavericks proved to be a hell of a live band, with a ton of cool tunes, and a singer for the ages.

Kip Moore + Drake White + Jillian Jacqueline - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

October 12, 2017 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Live Review

A jam packed Country Music Week concluded for yours truly with my second visit of the week to Shepherd's Bush. Following a stunning show from Randy Houser on Monday at Bush Hall, where a great show seems to be guaranteed these days, we’ve moved down the road to the more palatial O2 Empire (capacity 2000) for tonight's proceedings. Needless to say with Kip Moore and Drake White in town I'm expecting things to rock and they sure did.

Little Big Town - Royal Albert Hall, London

October 12, 2017 by David Vousden in Country, Live Review, Pop

Arguably the biggest name performing during Country Music Week is Little Big Town. The quartet bought their 'The Breaker' tour to the UK and included a stop at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, which handily coincided with an already dream week for country fans. An unexpected last minute invite, and the cancellation of a planned tube strike, found your RGM scribe with a seat, a Loggia box seat no less, in a truly stunning building for which the term iconic was probably penned.

Randy Houser + Lindsay Ell + Walker McGuire - Bush Hall, London

October 03, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Country, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

London is my usual stomping ground for gigs so the announcement of Country Music Week was most welcome. From October 2nd – 8th some of the best and the brightest artists of the genre are popping up all over town in various musical configurations be it with full bands, acoustic sets or the much loved, and quintessentially Nashville, songwriters circle, CMW had all the bases covered

Brent Cobb - Slaughtered Lamb, London UK

January 31, 2017 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

For his first shows in the UK the Sold Out signs are up and Brent Cobb finds himself, to his surprise I’m sure, welcomed with open arms for his London debut. The musical grapevine has been working overtime and Brent is playing to full houses two months before the UK release of his debut album ‘Shine On Rainy Day’ (March 24th is the date). A respectful and knowledgeable crowd obviously knows the album, which was released stateside late in 2016, and have an appreciation for good songs well played and sung. Brent Cobb covers all these bases with aplomb which, when coupled with the relaxed Southern charm he demonstrated on the night, ensures artist and audience are on the same page and destined to have a great time.

Sara Watkins - Bush Hall, London UK

November 15, 2016 by Rich Barnard in Bluegrass, Americana, Country, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

Having chairs set in rows tends to have a civilising effect on a crowd but tonight at Bush Hall the attendees need no reminders when it comes to audience etiquette. A respectful silence falls over them long before support act Dietrich Strause has got himself comfy behind the mic and we're sat so still and expectant I suspect we're actually starting to freak him out. Undeterred, Strause paddles through his set of deftly fingerpicked and tender folk songs perhaps a little too apologetically but is nonetheless warmly received.

John Paul White - Bush Hall, London UK

November 14, 2016 by David Vousden in Americana, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Southern Rock, Country

The opportunity to catch John Paul White in the intimate confines of Bush Hall where the acoustics pretty much guarantee a lovely vocal sound was one not to be missed. Obviously plenty more people were following my line of thinking as the website claimed Sold Out and there was definitely a healthy crowd on the night.