The spangly queen is back and the show at Islington Assembly Hall was Elles Bailey at her absolute best. With a band expanded to a seven piece, including Paul Jordanous on trumpet, Sophie Stockham-brown on sax, Matthew Waer on bass, Matthew Jones on drums, Jonny Henderson on organ, Joe Wilkins on guitar & Demi Marriner on backing vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, the songs exploded from the stage and had the packed crowd cheering and dancing from the off.
It was one of those special nights – the 1st show of a tour, a new sound – and it could have been a disaster or a triumph. Like all first shows, it was laden with mistakes, but the quality on display, the top quality songwriting and Elles herself, transcended all the bishes.
Ther songs were mainly drawn from the new album ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’ and from ‘Beneath The Neon Glow’ with a couple of older numbers thrown in.
They opened with the title track from her new album. and it was clear that the brass section really makes a difference to her sound. ‘Growing Roots followed and then she launched into Matt Long’s ‘Better Days’, the whole set building in strength and confidence.
Of the rest of the set, highlights were a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s ‘Love Me Like A Man’, a riotous ‘1972’, ‘Leave The Light On’ was full of angst and the emotion of the song. The encore, ‘What’s The Matter With You’ and ‘Take A Step Back’ perfectly rounded out the show.
Normally, I would talk about particular moments, guitar lines or organ breaks, but really, there is no point. The band were tight and together, all there to support Elles Bailey’s smokey vocals, and they did it perfectly. It was a night to delight in, both the songs and the performances.
The rest of the tour should be a blast.
Earlier, Caitlin Krisco and the Broadcast ( a stripped version of Caitlin Krisco and her husband Aaron Austin) played a fine set of Blues tinged Americana. They were personally selected for the tour and introduced by Elles hersef. The whole band are back in the autumn – one not to miss.
Full setlist: Can't Take My Story Away Growing Roots Better Days (Catfish cover) How Do You Do It Deeper Help Somebody Love Me Like a Man (Bonnie Raitt cover) Constant Need to Keep Going Best Believe 1972 Angel Let It Burn Tightrope Love Yourself Leave the Light On If This Is Love Encore: What's the Matter With You Take a Step Back
