Live: Sweet Billy Pilgrim @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen.

by | Apr 25, 2015

Coming from the roots of a self-starting band, experimental folk-rockers Sweet Billy Pilgrim didn’t begin recording in studios until third album Crown and Treaty in 2012, with everything preceding that famously recorded in a garden shed, including 2009 Mercury Prize-nominated sophomore album Twice Born Men. And it is that struggle to get themselves out there and heard with really limited resources that lends itself to their quirky and local-band feel.

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

With fourth album Motorcade Amnesiacs due out in May, the four-piece – expanded to six on stage – hit East London’s Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen to preview their forthcoming release. Stating from the outset that the band would be playing new material which may go wrong and joking that he’d likely trip over things on stage and set things on fire, front man Tim Elsenburg gave a shout out to some of his students from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, where he teaches song-writing, before launching into new album track Make It So.

Amnesiacs track Slingshot Grin was next before Elsenburg looked out to the crowd, shielding his eyes from the stage lights and asked if Victoria was out in the audience. Once he’d shared a wave with her, he explained to the crowd “I’m just trying to identify people I know from the Internet”. He then asked if Isabel was there; “She’s travelled all the way from the planet of Spain” he told of the somewhat embarrassed girl stood in front of the stage. New track Tyrekickers was dedicated to Isabel by Elsenburg as he handed over lead vocal duties to the band’s American singer and multi-instrumentalist Jana Carpenter.

Jana Carpenter (Kalpesh Patel)

Jana Carpenter (Kalpesh Patel)

Crown and Treaty track Joyful Reunion was next, prompting engagement from the crowd to a known favourite, followed by Twice Born Men track Future Perfect Tense. The song ended with what Elsenburg jokingly referred to a “Queen salute”, which he suggested all future Sweet Billy Pilgrim audiences would perform upon closing of the track. This prompted calls from the crowd for a repeat performance, which the band obliged to by repeating the last few lines of the song and, of course, the salute.

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

Drummer Alistair Hamer quipped that the band weren’t used to playing gigs so they hadn’t produced a setlist, and while the show clearly didn’t flow perfectly smoothly, with one of the band’s on stage laptops crashing, the band were fully aware of the order of material sans running order and were perfectly tight in their delivery. “To all the lovers in the house, you’re at the wrong f***ing gig” the bespectacled front man jested inducing laughter from the East London crowd.

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

The main set closed with the first single to be taken from Motorcade Amnesiacs, Coloma Blues, of which Elsenburg and Carpenter argued over the true title. The frontman then suggested that the song would encourage mosh pits at Sweet Billy Pilgrim gigs in the future. Crown and Treaty song Kracklite closed the night with the frontman making a call for the band to stay on the stage in-between main set and encore.

Jana Carpenter (Kalpesh Patel)

Jana Carpenter (Kalpesh Patel)

Elsenburg is a clear extrovert, seemingly gaining as much from conversational engagement with his audience as from sharing new material resulting in an entertaining show. And while Carpenter isn’t quite as vocal between songs, her quivering bluesy voice compliments the overall sound resulting in an engaging forum for storytelling.

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

Tim Elsenburg (Kalpesh Patel)

Photograph and Words by Kalpesh Patel. Sweet Billy Pilgrim @ Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on 14/04/2015.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000ifpAnYnKAbM” g_name=”Sweet-Billy-Pilgrim” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

and the whole shoot here on RockShot: http://rockshot.photoshelter.com/gallery/Sweet-Billy-Pilgrim/G0000ifpAnYnKAbM

    The Royston Club (Sam Crowston)

    The Royston Club Reveal Tender New Single ‘Cariad’ Ahead Of Anticipated Second Album ‘Songs For The Spine’

    The Royston Club are stepping firmly into the indie-rock spotlight with the upcoming release of their second album, Songs For The Spine, set for 8th August. Following the Top 20 success of their debut, the Wrexham quartet return with soaring momentum: vinyl pre-orders sold out in minutes, streaming numbers rising, and a loyal, lyric-chanting fanbase that packs out venues across the UK.

    Kanadia (Andy Ford)

    Kanadia Announce Third Album ‘The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home’ And Share Cathartic New Single ‘Too Late Now’

    Oxford-based alternative rockers Kanadia have announced their third studio album, The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home, set for release on 26th September. A sweeping and emotionally charged 50-minute record, the new album is described as a sonic journey through the fragility and beauty of human emotion, with the band promising an abundance of dreamlike textures, massive hooks, and haunting melodies.

    Of Mice & Men (Carissa Dugoni)

    Of Mice & Men Announce New Album ‘Another Miracle’, Drop New Single ‘Wake Up’

    Southern California metalcore stalwarts Of Mice & Men have announced details of their ninth studio album, Another Miracle, due out 14th November 2025 via Century Media Records. Known for their high-octane blend of crushing heaviness and melodic vulnerability, the band returns with what they describe as their most personal and expansive work to date.

    Skunk Anansie @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

    Skunk Anansie Unveil Powerful Visual For Deeply Personal New Single ‘Shame’

    British rock legends Skunk Anansie have released a striking new video for their latest single Shame, a raw and emotional track that sees frontwoman Skin dive deep into her own past, confronting complex family dynamics and personal identity with unflinching honesty.

    Sabrina Carpenter @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Jordan Curtis Hughes / Alfredo Flores)

    An Explosive Sabrina Carpenter Show Keeps Drenched London Warm At BST Hyde Park 2025

    “Hey London, how you doing? My name’s Sabrina — what’s your name?”. There is a daft cacophony of replies, that shows...
    Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

    Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

    After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

    Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

    Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

    While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

    Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

    Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

    At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This

    Share Thing