On a night where London felt more like Nashville in July, there couldn’t have been a more fitting setting for Janet Devlin than the close quarters of 21Soho. Temperatures soared both inside and out, but nobody seemed to mind. Tucked away in the heart of Soho, the intimate venue offers exactly the kind of atmosphere country music thrives in. It’s not just about hearing the songs, it’s about hearing the stories that live between them; the laughs, the confessions and the conversations that give every lyric a little more weight.
Janet Devlin @ 21soho
Opening the evening was Rhiannon Paige, who immediately thanked both Janet Devlin for the opportunity and the audience for packing out the venue despite the sweltering conditions. Mixing new material with familiar favourites, she quickly won the room over, even letting the crowd decide which cover to perform. Bonnie Tyler comfortably won the vote, prompting one of the evening’s biggest singalongs while carrying extra poignancy following the recent passing of the Welsh icon.
As temperatures continued to rise, so too did the atmosphere. Dressed head-to-toe in black despite the heat, Rhiannon laughed through stories of her upcoming wedding and had the audience joining in throughout the wonderfully tongue-in-cheek I Don’t Like Lemonade. Between songs, she also spoke candidly about growing up never quite feeling like she fitted in and the obstacles she’d faced simply because of who she was. It was another beautiful reminder of music’s unique ability to give people a voice, helping artists express themselves honestly while allowing audiences to find a place, and people, they connect with.
If her storytelling drew the audience closer, it was her voice that truly left the room speechless. Possessing remarkable power and an effortless vocal range, Rhiannon delivered every song with confidence and conviction, filling every corner of the intimate venue. By the end of her set, she hadn’t just warmed up the crowd; she’d announced herself as an artist to watch and left the room perfectly primed for the headline act.
Before Janet Devlin even stepped onto the stage, the audience was treated to the premiere of her brand-new music video for Diane. Leaning into the brilliantly country-inspired wordplay of DIE-ANNE, the room erupted with cheers as the video’s charismatic male lead finally kissed Janet on screen. The biggest surprise came moments later when fans realised the actor had been sitting amongst them all along, sparking an immediate frenzy of selfies, photos and excited chatter throughout the room.
When Janet eventually emerged, joined by Mike Giverin (better known as MandoMike) on mandolin and John Matts on guitar, it became immediately apparent what makes her live performances so compelling. Dressed for the heat in a simple grey tank top, knee-high white boots and an ornate custom denim skirt adorned with tassels, buckles and brooches around the waist, she looked every bit the modern country artist, effortlessly blending Nashville flair with her own unmistakable style. Even the microphone stands had been wrapped in patterned bandanas, a subtle touch that tied the stage aesthetic together and made the performance feel unmistakably Janet.
Yes, the vocals are exceptional. Yes, the musicianship is effortless. But it’s Janet herself who commands the room.
Her quick wit between songs makes the evening feel less like a concert and more like spending time with a talented friend who just happens to write incredible songs. She effortlessly shifted between tales of failed romances, her love of horses and the life experiences that shape her songwriting, often finding a way to combine them into one wonderfully self-aware anecdote.
Even when Janet stumbled over the lyrics to one song, she turned the moment into comedy gold. Rather than trying to brush it aside, she laughed at herself, brought the audience in on the joke and had the room in stitches before seamlessly picking up where she left off. It perfectly summed up the evening: authentic, unfiltered and completely endearing.
If there was ever any danger that the mishap might distract from the performance, Janet’s vocals immediately erased it. Rich, expressive and unmistakably her own, she possesses a tone that feels impossible to imitate. Whether delivering delicate, intimate verses or soaring into powerful choruses, every note landed with confidence. It’s a voice that’s instantly recognisable as Janet Devlin’s, full of character, emotion and effortless range.
Lyrics such as “I can break a horse, I can break a man” landed with huge cheers from the audience, while newer material sat comfortably alongside fan favourites, including Emotional Rodeo. Rather than feeling like a set split between old and new, everything felt like chapters of the same evolving story.
It’s obvious Janet Devlin has built a fiercely loyal fanbase over the years, but it’s equally clear why she continues to attract new listeners wherever she performs. Her songs may bring people through the door, but it’s her warmth, humour and genuine connection with an audience that keep them there. In a room as intimate as 21Soho, that connection feels less like performer and crowd, and more like friends sharing stories set to music. It’s exactly what live country music does best.
By the time the lights came up, nobody seemed in any rush to leave. Conversations lingered, and the room still carried the warmth, both literal and emotional, of an evening built on honesty, humour and exceptional songwriting. It was the kind of show that reminds you why intimate venues like 21Soho continue to matter. In an age of sprawling arenas and towering festival stages, there’s something irreplaceable about being close enough to catch every smile, every laugh and every story exactly as it’s told.
If Diane signals where Janet Devlin is heading next, then this next chapter looks like one well worth following.
Review & photography of Janet Devlin at The Strand 21Soho, London on 21st July 2026 by Henry Finnegan (FinneganFoto) Instagram: @finneganfoto | Facebook: @finneganfoto.
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