Restless Road @ Lafyette

Restless Road @ Lafyette (Louise Phillips)

Comprised of Colton Pack, Zach Beeken and Garrett Nichols, Restless Road boasts three distinct but complementary voices that deliver powerhouse, harmony-driven vocals. The band showcased tracks from their 2023 album Last Rodeo, which tells personal tales of love and life, from engagement, marriage and break up, all woven into the music.

Country-pop artist Sophia Scott warmed up an eager crowd that filled the auditorium and packed the balcony to the rafters. Restless Road then burst onto the stage with spirited party-anthem Bar Friends, followed by Sundown Somewhere, which accentuated their modern country sound with a rock edge.

The trio’s enthusiasm for their London debut was palpable and infectious. They expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and reminisced about their journey from small towns to sold-out shows in the capital.“We’re so excited to be here in our first-ever headline show, let’s blow it out!” they yelled, before playing the sprightly Leave Them Boots On. It’s a catchy track featuring Tecovas western boots, one-horse towns and a “heartbreak mustang kind that you can’t tame” that implores the cowboy protagonist to ride away from the heartbreak.

The setlist included One Step Ahead from their 2020’s self-titled EP, Could’ve Been A Love Song from the new album and Take Me Home, their track with singer, mentor and longtime friend Kane Brown, which features an interpolation of John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads.

Known for their signature harmonies and soul-stirring lyrics, Restless Road captivated the audience with tracks like Go Get Her and 10 Things, a twangy piece that revels in the freedom that finally comes post-breakup, while their cover of Little Big Town’s Boondocks had the crowd singing their heart out. On radio-ready Easy for You to Say and Tell Me Not To the band showed off their ability to blend traditional country themes with a modern edge, and how to nail a beautiful ballad. On My Way embodied perseverance and showcased soaring, three-part harmonies.

Sophia Scott returned to the stage to fill in for Erin Kinsey on Most Nights which was a lovely moment. The infectious Head Over Heels, sounding like a stone cold classic 90s track that makes you want to hit the bar, then the dance floor, and the bar again was a standout, as was the beautiful ballad, Headlights.

A cover of Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved and Rascal Flatts’ Bless The Broken Road went down well, but it was Restless Road’s material the crowd were really here to savour. Growing Old With You has become synonymous with the trio’s brand, with more than 37 million streams on Spotify alone to date. Written by Jordan Reynolds, Jordan Minton and Lady A’s Charles Kelley, it proved the perfect soundtrack for a live proposal in the crowd (fortunately, she said yes).

A highlight of the night was a cover of Keith Urban’s Somebody Like You – the track they performed on the American version of X-Factor in 2013 with Andrew Scholz before he departed and Garett joined the band – and the jubilant sing-along No Can Do was dedicated “to those who love a cold beer and country music”, which, it’s safe to guess, was most of the buzzy Monday night crowd. The night ended triumphantly with the solid title track, Last Rodeo, before Colton, Zach and Garrett tossed their guitar picks into the crowd and left the stage.

Restless Road‘s versatility, compelling storytelling, and vocal blend make them a force to be reckoned with in the country music scene. While a “last rodeo” can be someone’s final opportunity before bowing out, their London debut proves that Restless Road‘s journey is far from over. It’s just the beginning of a thrilling ride.

Live review of Restless Road @ Lafyette, London on 11th February 2024 by Nicola Greenbrook. Photography by Louise Phillips.

Breland Proves Country Music Is For Everyone At The Electric Ballroom

Wuzy Bambussy

Wuzy Bambussy (Rysia Rhys)

Wuzy Bambussy is a musical trio based in the beating heart of England’s West Country, featuring songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Nikolai Jones, Bristolian chanteuse Kat Harrison and guitarist Iggy Deverall. Independently producing, recording and mixing their work, they have crafted a distinctive sound that fuses indie pop with rhythmic sass.

Renowned for their eclectic, beatific soundtrack, Wuzy Bambussy seamlessly blends indie pop with rhythmic flair, encompassing funk, folk, indie rock and electronica with jazzy undertones.

Just Shy Of Why makes for the perfect road trip rock anthem. Choppy riffs collide beautifully with swaggering brass, all driven by a propulsive rhythm section and Kat’s sultry, ethereal voice.

The lyrics tell the story of a dysfunctional relationship breakdown, followed by salvation and the promise of new beginnings. The single’s cover artwork, portraying a peachy sunset in a car’s side view mirror, symbolises a sense of leaving it all behind and hitting the open road.

Listen to Just Shy Of Why below:

The single marks the seventh release in a ten-part series that Wuzy Bambussy has released monthly throughout 2023 since March. Previous tracks in the series include What Became of You?, Uncharted and  Yesterday’s Shoes, which deservedly earned a spot on the BBC Introducing Mixtape in September 2023. This is the second time Wuzy Bambussy has been featured during their batch of single releases.

Just Shy Of Why stands out as a dreamy, jazzy alt-pop delight, with Kat’s irresistibly nonchalant delivery on the parting words, ‘See ya’, lingering in the listener’s mind long after the final notes have been played.

It’s another triumphant addition to Wuzy Bambussy’s rapidly growing and widely admired back catalogue. They are currently writing at a frenetic pace for several releases next year, carving their place in the UK independent music world and giving us something to eagerly anticipate in 2024.

Larkin Poe Strike Gold At The Roundhouse

The Beaches @ HERE at Outernet

The Beaches @ HERE at Outernet (Nick Allan)

Formed in 2013, the Toronto-based four-piece comprises lead vocalist and bassist Jordan Miller, her sister, guitarist Kylie Miller, and their closest friends, keyboardist and guitarist Leandra Earl and drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel, who have been putting in the work for over a decade now. Their moniker is a nod to the Toronto neighbourhood on the edge of Lake Ontario where the sisters and Eliza grew up.

Opting out of a university experience to pursue careers in music, their focus and dedication bore fruit with two JUNO awards – Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2018 following the release of their debut album Late Show (2017) and Rock Album of the Year in 2022 for Sisters Not Twins (The Professional Lovers Album) which combined their two previous EPs, The Professional (2019) and Future Lovers (2021).

The alt-rockers were in London to promote their second studio album, Blame My Ex (2023), released via independent label AWAL. No strangers to the touring scene, The Beaches have opened for heavyweights including The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters, and also left an impression at this year’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago’s Grant Park with a dynamic set.

It was a lively crowd at London’s HERE at Outernet, the major new addition to Tottenham Court Road’s nightlife and hidden four stories under the city’s centre, where The Beaches’ glitter-grunge style and rock-infused attitude could take centre stage.

Following a set by British singer Cameron Hayes as special guest support, the backing track slowed and The Beaches slinked onto the stage. “What’s up, London!” they yelled before kicking off with Kismet, a track that describes the delicious, butterflies-in-your-tummy sensation of repeatedly bumping into a crush. Seamlessly moving into T-Shirt from Late Show, the band’s debut LP, they exuded pure sass with lyrics like “Boys don’t get me, girls wanna get with me”.

Me & Me, the third single from sophomore album Blame My Ex is a spirited, infectious track with a propulsive guitar riff and perfect for anyone discovering themselves again after a breakup. It was dedicated to all the single ladies in the crowd, who enthusiastically hollered back the words.

A tightly curated setlist featured Grow Up Tomorrow, My People (with lyrics cheekily altered from “Sold my panties to some guy in Austin” to “some guy in London”) and the lusty Cigarette with thumping drums and chords. Punky, up-tempo track Fascination exploded with fierce guitars and upbeat riffs, and a head-banging, instrumental jamming session fused into Back Of My Heart from Late Show – a raw, rock track that spits delightful, acerbic lyrics like “You’re just an insult to my eyes and ears and mouth”.

The band flaunted their signature style; catchy pop-infused alt-rock, sharp lyrics and playful, tongue-in-cheek humour. Jordan, rocking a slinky, sequinned dress with long boots and dark sunglasses, screamed, “How do you feel, London? Sexy?”, before diving into My Body, Ft Your Lips, a dark, grungy track that brought a moment of tenderness despite its evocative lyrics. It also allowed Leandra to take the mic, replacing US pop-rock band Beach Weather’s part.

With minimal chatter between songs, The Beaches allowed their music to speak volumes while maintaining an intimate connection with the crowd and exchanging cheeky banter. “How’s it going, London. Are you drinking tonight?” said Jordan before quizzing us on our ideal shower beer and what the girls should drink after the show. “Shower Snakebite it is then,” she said with a grin before introducing Shower Beer, an anthemic track with a rebellious spirit.

The soaring What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid delves into “social anxiety after a breakup”. Jordan’s raw, powerful vocals captivated the audience, their arms swaying from side to side and voices harmonising with hooky lyrics that include “Ran up my minutes on my inner voice. She loves to bring up all my issues, God, she’s the bitch” – a modern twist to the classic adage, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.

Everything is Boring continued the theme with a playful take on a classic nursery rhyme.

Leandra took centre position to say, “London, thank you so much for coming out to the Blame My Ex tour. This song is about my ex-girlfriend,” before playing a memorable version of Edge of the Earth, which describes the experience of falling in love with another girl for the first time.

When Jordan addressed the crowd with a gutsy, “Thank you so much, London! It’s time to blame my f*cking ex!”, it was an unmistakable cue that the moment had arrived to play Blame Brett. The album’s opener has amassed an impressive over 22 million streams on Spotify to date and gone viral on TikTok. The eponymous ‘Brett’ refers to Brett Emmons of Canadian band The Glorious Sons, whom Jordan was in a relationship with, and she has said it’s “a song for all the hot messes out there.” The crowd stomped and echoed the words right back, and then the band shouted “Thank you, London!” before vanishing.

The disappointment at their departure was palpable, but they graciously returned for an encore. “We’ll see you around sometime, London!” they said cheerfully, before diving into Money, a stand-out from Last Show with its punchy chorus and biting guitars. As the track came to an end, they collapsed on the floor in a delirious heap and then in a flash they were gone. Suddenly, HERE was a much less fun place to be.

The Queens of surf-rock are doing everything their way, unapologetically, letting their talent shine through and leaving a mark. They swept the crowd along on an emotional journey, navigating the ups and downs after a breakup that concludes with self-discovery and learning to love yourself again.

The Beaches are an absolute knockout. I’ll be listening to their music (and blaming my ex) a lot more from now on.

Live review of The Beaches @ HERE at Outernet, London by Nicola Greenbrook on 23rd November 2023. Photography by Nick Allan.

Lizzie Esau Is Less Bleak And More Sublime At The Grace

Collette Cooper

Collette Cooper (Rankin)

Reflecting the current political and social environment caused by the impact of national and global events, Darkside Of Christmas Chapters 1 & 2 takes a more poignant approach to the seasonal album, and aims to recognise the recent difficulties felt by many around the world. The albums touch upon themes of love, loss and empathy all tied together with wry wit, edgy humour and outstanding musicianship – and the individual, unmistakable voice of Collette.

While the theme may at first appear saturnine, Darkside Of Christmas’s ultimate sentiment is an uplifting feeling of spirituality and hope, laced with a devil-may-care party spirit designed to unify those who feel that the hour of ‘forced fun’ is upon them.

On Chapter 1, Run Santa Baby sees old Saint Nick feeling the pinch of frostbite, while Cooper’s rendition of What A Wonderful World (recorded live in one take) sails over the sound of an old honky-tonk piano with the odd broken key, conjuring the essence of a singalong around the fire after a few too many glasses of Christmas spirit.

Check out What A Wonderful World below:

A more personal sentiment is projected on the original track Another Day – dedicated to Collette’s best friend Claire Bonham, who unexpectedly passed away in March 2020 (the last time they spent time together was New Year’s Day 2020). 

The classic jazz standard Ain’t Necessarily So is given a unique treatment with the addition of the melody from Carol Of The Bells.

The final jewel in the crown is the addition of legendary British actor Ray Winstone, who introduces the album by reciting a compelling, original poem by Collette Cooper, setting the tone for what is to come including the opening track Silent Night.

Collette Cooper

Collette Cooper (Press)

Chapter 2 opens with another Collette-penned poem, this time recited by award-winning, gritty British actor, Maxine Peake to begin the haunting original composition When the Snow Falls.

Collette’s 2020 single Lost Soul is reinvented with a gospel-inflected a cappella opening followed by a full-on funk-blues experience entitled Lost Soul (Piece of Mind).

The final new track ends the project like it began, with Cooper’s unique take on an old Carol. Coventry Carol, whose theme of war and strife is a chilling echo of today’s headlines (and given that it was recorded in September) is an eerie example of art predicting life.

Collette Cooper

Collette Cooper (Rankin)

Speaking about the record, Collette says, “A lot of love, blood, sweat, tears, and snow has gone into this album.” Recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios and Dean Street Studios (Collette’s body of work is mostly recorded live), with original artwork by the acclaimed photographer Rankin, Darkside Of Christmas Chapters 1 & 2 is a distinctive and stylish work, destined to indulge all of this year’s Scrooges and maybe a few Tiny Tim’s for good measure!

For more information, please contact Thelonious Punk Records: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

Collette Cooper will be treating us to a live performance on 1st December 2023 at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3 Pilgrim’s Place, Hampstead, London, NW3 1NG

Words by Nicola Greenbrook.

PJ Harvey Delivers A Spellbinding Roundhouse Show

BST Hyde Park 2023

BST Hyde Park 2023 (Kalpesh Patel)

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band blazed through two sold-out headline shows in London’s Hyde Park with a supporting line up that included The Chicks, Brittney Spencer, James Bay, Picture Parlour, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls and Pa Sheehy among others.

The pioneer of Heartland rock graced BST Hyde Park’s Great Oak Stage with an extraordinary two-night performance and 28 tracks selected from an illustrious career.

Bruce is renowned for his unique fusion of mainstream rock, powerful tracks and compelling narratives that depict working-class American life. He is also well known for spirited performances which can last for several hours, and he didn’t disappoint this time around; he and the band played flawlessly for three uninterrupted hours.

As the great man took the stage, a thunderous roar of cheers erupted from the heaving Hyde Park crowd and a great surge forward as BST revellers, making the most of all the mini-festival has to offer, were desperate to catch a glimpse of the man himself. 

The audience erupted into a fervent chant of “Bruuucccee” which, for the uninitiated might have been mistaken for booing, but, surely, it would be sacrilege to jeer The Boss! “London, Saturday night! 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4…” he shouted before launching into the opening track, My Love Will Not Let You Down taken from Tracks (1988). The wrap-around stage provided an unobstructed, panoramic view of Bruce and the E Street Band, even with a man-made oak tree seeming to sprout out of the ground. 

Bruce’s career to date, spanning six decades, boasts an impressive portfolio of no less than 21 studio albums. With such an extensive and well-loved back catalogue, there was something for everyone including anthemic classics, country ballads and rock’n’roll belters. 

While performing Death To My Hometown from Wrecking Ball (2012), the sun was still breaking through the clouds over Hyde Park, causing Bruce had to shield his eyes from the rays. With his signature black short-sleeve shirt, double earrings and an expressive, beaming smile, he looked youthful and vibrant. The rousing No Surrender from Born In The U.S.A. (1984) ignited the energy of the crowd who enthusiastically sang along. The set transitioned smoothly from one track to the next, with barely time for Bruce and Ghosts from Letter To You (2020), his gravelly voice showcased to perfection.

American Express Presents BST Hyde Park

Nils Lofgren, Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band perform on stage on Day 9 of American Express Presents BST Hyde Park on July 8, 2023 in London, United, Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock)

A Springsteen audience is eclectic, with fans of all ages (from toddlers to older generation) and pretty dresses, football shirts, Bruce tees and a flash of red bandanas for good measure. With a hand clap in the air, he effortlessly transitioned into Prove It All Night from Darkness On The Edge of Town (1978), followed by the self-titled track. This was a bonus addition to the Saturday night show; fans at the first night were treated to Born In The U.S.A. and Thunder Road from Born To Run (1975) instead. The rain began to fall, but in no way stopped play, and as ponchos and rainproof macs were swiftly pulled over heads, Bruce delivered mesmerising guitar solos and a powerful voice, blowing his harmonica into the microphone during The Promised Land.

With Out In The Street from The River (1980) and the honky tonk sounds of Darlington County from the iconic Born In The U.S.A., one of the bestselling albums of all time), “London, let’s have a party!”, Bruce yelled, as if anyone in the audience needed any encouragement. He appeared to be having the time of his life, leaning into the crowd, pausing for selfies and grinning from ear to ear, enjoying the connection with the audience. He handed his plectrum to a younger fan, and brought his mic into the crowd, engaging everyone into spirited sing-along of the “Sha la la, sha la la la la, Sha la la, la la la la” part.

Bruce is a natural showman, and there was no need for elaborate theatrics as the power of the songs do all the talking. ‘Come on Jake!” he said enthusiastically to Jake Clemons, the musician, singer and songwriter who has been the saxophonist for the band since 2012, stepping into the role after the death of the band’s original saxophonist, his uncle Clarence Clemons. Bruce’s appreciation then extended to “Sister Soozie!”, referring to Soozie Tyrell the band’s violinist, guitarist and vocalist. During Working On The Highway, he playfully interacted with his band members, swinging his hips and pretending to conduct the horn section.

The sultry guitar opening of Kitty’s Back from The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (1973) proved to be a highlight. Here, he showcased more of a jazz-infused style on a track that struts and swings. This was followed by the soulful Nightshift from Only The Strong Survive (2022) then Mary’s Place from The Rising (2002) which quickly turned into a soulful, rocking party. The rain provided the perfect backdrop as everyone joined in with ‘Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain’. 

After introducing the E Street Band and performing a spirited rendition of The E Street Shuffle, at this point of the set, Bruce captivated the crowd by sharing an intimate story from his past, as the atmosphere became hushed. He took us to the mid-60s, when he had been playing guitar since he was fourteen. “George Theiss was a school pal of mine. He was dating my sister. He knocked on my door asked me to audition for his band, The Castiles. I had nothing to lose. I had a $39 Kent guitar. We moved some furniture and in that little room, I embarked on the greatest adventure of my life!” he said. Fast forward 50 years later, and on another summers day, he found himself at George’s deathbed. “His passing left me as the only living member of the band; and death’s final gift to the living is an expanded view of this life. 

It created a connection with the 65,000-strong crowd, before he launched into Last Man Standing from Letter To You (2020), a nostalgic reflection on the experiences of a rock ’n’ roll musician. With his guitar held aloft, and accompanied only by his voice, it sombre but not sad. The audience may have been soggy from the rain but were far from dampened in spirit. The contemplative Backstreets from Born to Run (1975) followed, then the crowd-pleasing Because The Night, co-written by Bruce and Patti Smith, and later released in 1978 by the Patti Smith Group. For She’s The One, Bruce and Steven ‘Little Steven’ Van Zandt got close to the microphone and showed off their vocal prowess.

American Express Presents BST Hyde Park

Nils Lofgren, Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band perform on stage on Day 9 of American Express Presents BST Hyde Park on July 8, 2023 in London, United, Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock)

Bruce and the band then unleashed a stream of colossal classics including Wrecking Ball and The Rising from the respective albums of the same name, and Badlands from Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978). The sky might have been slowly dimming, but there was no sign of Bruce and the band’s light fading away.

During the first encore, the set reached its peak glory. Bruce and the band played Born To Run and Bobby Jean without skipping a beat, while the audience shouted, “We love you Bruce!” and moved their hands from left to right in perfect unison. With Glory Days, they were really having some fun; “Steven, Oh Steven! I will drink until I get my fill. Is London with me?”, said Bruce, grinning into the camera and saying, “It’s time to go home, they’re going to pull the plug!”, a cheeky reference to his last Hyde Park gig in 2012 when he ran over the curfew and the sound was cut. 

Dancing In The Dark was nothing short of a celebration, prompting a mass sing-a-long ensued, as Bruce ripped open his shirt. After introducing the magnificent E Street Band, the heartwarming Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out was accompanied by footage of members of the E Street Band who have passed away; keyboard player Danny Federici and saxophonist Clarence Clemons, as the sun set.

Twist And Shout which included a La Bamba segment, showcased Bruce’s immense voice range, even after 3 non-stop hours. As the band lined up to say goodbye, there was a profound sense of love and respect as they shared hugs, built up after years of performing together.

For the second encore, Bruce took to the stage as a solitary figure as he performed a moving version of I’ll See You In My Dreams. It was almost silent, across Hyde park and charged with emotion. As the show drew to a close, he said, “E Street Band loves you, thanks for a great night! — and like that, he was gone — before they really did pull the plug this time. 

During one of the tracks, I overheard the man behind me say, “He’s still got it”. Got it? He’s never, ever lost it. It was a staggering performance and a night to remember for a very long time. No-one does it quite like The Boss and the E Street Band.

Review of Bruce Springsteen @ BST Hyde Park on 8th July by Nicola Greenbrook. Photography of Bruce Springsteen & James Bay by Dave Hogan. Photography of The Chicks by Simon Reed. Other BST photography by Kalpesh Patel.

Guns N’ Roses At BST Hyde Park 2023: Rock On A Scale Only Legends Could Achieve