Three Chords and the Truth UK

  ‘Long may the Turnpike Troubadours keep the UK on their touring horizon’. The final line of my 2017 review from the band’s Bristol UK gig almost felt like a curse. What happened next is well documented. At least there is a happy ending and that touring horizon became an experienced reality eight years later. In the aftermath of a successful night at the Institute, a quick recap of the review of the Thekla gig revealed a similar story played out to a packed Birmingham audience. From a dedicated band of fervent followers to a six-piece outfit plying through a continuous set of high octane outlaw country music, the venue sizzled with electricity in a raucous atmosphere of country fans breaking out of the Nashville clique and revelling in the red dirt rawness of Oklahoma.  Evan Felker remains a cool customer holding court effortlessly communicating through vocals and guitar. To his right, outstanding lead guitar playing and the perpetual exchange of banjo, accordion, pedal steel...

  Lost Time was the name of the tour and also the mission of Brandi Carlile to repay the faith of her followers in the UK. Legions of dedicated admirers have grown enormously over the years despite the lack of any meaningful shows outside London. The landscape has also considerably changed since a previous tour was aborted due to the Icelandic volcano flight disruption (yes, that long ago). Popularity in Birmingham has gone from a Glee Club booking to selling out the Symphony Hall in literally hours. A string of increasingly impactful albums and a recent collaboration with Elton John helped raise the profile. Maybe not everybody with a Glee Club ticket fifteen years ago was able to make the ‘delayed re-staging’ but those present experienced the full-on pleasure of one of America’s most eminent singer-songwriters reaching out to bond with a fervent fanbase. Country in her heart, rock in her head, songs in her DNA and an ability to connect running through every vein of her body. A ...

Four years to complete the circle.The intervening period has seen a seismic change in the career of Hannah White. In May 2021, a new world was emerging for live music. In a lot of ways it turned out to be like the old one. An early post-Covid gig saw Hannah White and Keiron Marshall play a memorable show at the Kitchen Garden in the Birmingham suburb of Kings Heath. It opened the door on an artist who epitomised ‘show don’t tell’. One whose songs and vocals convey every sinew of life emotion. Fast forward to June 2025 and an eventual return to the area to headline a night, though this time a skip over the Sandwell/Birmingham border to venture deep into a suburban community fighting to forge an identity. The West Midlands grand stages have hosted Hannah and Keiron in support slots since but you can’t beat owning the space for the night. Thimblemill Library defiantly flies the arts flag in a borough not always stacked with positivity. When hosting acts like Hannah White it connects real...

  www.gittaderidder.com   For a magical sprinkling of lo-fi stardust look no further than the new album from Dutch artist Gitta de Ridder where the listener is serenaded into a state of restful bliss. N(i)e(u)w Land is the epitome of fragile beauty using a melange of folk and pop to spin thirty minutes of tranquil harmony. Themes range from loss to a journey from the Netherlands to a UK adopted home as de Ridder applies an Anglo European touch to proceedings. This fourth album possesses plenty of charm to accrue new admirers if its post-release life is carefully channelled. Multiple listening venues across the UK would provide an ideal sonic backdrop. Even the entirety of its thirty minute duration doubled up with chat and insight would enable a night of good music to align with respectful ears. The album consists of ten tracks collaborating with Swedish producer Jonatan Bäckelie and glitters with a series of inspiring highs. The pick unequivocally is the adorable ‘ Chasing Sl...

www.odettemichell.com THE QUEEN OF THE LOWLANDS is an accomplished body of work allowing the many sides of Odette Michell's artistry to prosper. Whether you sit back and savour the regality of serene vocals nestling among the finesse of fine musicianship or dive deep into the song content, the album meets the ideals of folk music head on. Archivists in the future won't need to dig so deep to discover the music of today but could be forgiven in confusing the original content here with timeless cuts from the traditional pool. Michell observes tradition is how the songs are constructed, yet all are current compositions blending old stories with contemporary feelings. The result is a robustly compact record awash with layers of enjoyable aspects.  Four of the ten tracks draw you in straight away from the pure impact of the tune. 'Hourglass ' is one that transcends a tight genre convention and could flourish in any setting. The theme of cherishing every moment never loses it...

‘Give me a child to the age of seven, and I’ll give you the man’. On its eighth birthday Beardy Folk has found itself. It has matured into a staple event, maximising sustainable parameters and forging an identity. Conquering south-westerly weather patterns is the final frontier and that has nearly been achieved. The fledgling cloak can be cast off and it’s all power to the walled garden, an enchanting place in mid-June. Bring on the ninth staging with double figures approaching, but let’s live in the moment, or at least three days from the recent past. It began with three women slipping into the mythical entity of one Wise Woman. Visually striking, vocally stunning, the scene was set. It ended in bizarre chaos bar the frenzied ceilidh with a mass of multi-aged folkies running amok to the sounds of Scottish Gaelic meets Jamaican Dub. Words are futile, actions immortal. Finish with An Dannsa Dub and you’ve ripped up the rule book. Demi Marriner 2025 had its poignant moment when Michele S...

In a parallel world, Niamh Regan would have been opening for Hothouse Flowers at the Institute. Instead, on this evening of extensive Irish talent in Birmingham, it was a privileged smaller gathering at the Kitchen Garden that savoured the talents of this succinctly evocative singer-songwriter. Imagining the person playing several feet in front of you commanding a bigger stage was an easy task. Such thoughts were instantly smothered by seizing the moment, and Niamh Regan knew how to capture the present. Owning whatever space you commandeer is a winning formula. A quirky aura and alluring sheen puts her qualities in focus and a convivial demeanour channels reams of affectionate songs. The smile was infectious, the voice compelling and a sixth sense wrapped a warm musical blanket around curious ears smitten by the effervescent charm.  Niamh Regan has an endearing vocal trait.Within each song she slips in, consciously or not, an odd word or line in a spoken form. This is a style remin...

  www.luketuchscherer.co.uk Luke Tuchscherer displays all the attributes of an articulate hard rocker on his latest album. Additionally, Clubhouse Records return to the forefront of talent enablers adding a rare release to their catalogue, and faith in a long term accomplice has been healthily repaid in the shape of a powerfully curated record. LIVING THROUGH HISTORY peels away multiple layers of Tuchscherer's artistry to reveal an album sharp, incisive and stacked with dynamic energy. Whether you feed off guitarists buoyantly stirring the pot or singer-songwriters threading key messages with  meaningful words, this 6th album from an artist now back in the UK will resonate highly. There was little surprise that the secure partnership with David Banks is firing impressive volleys. The latter is becoming increasingly present as an effective backroom operator and adds many fine touches to this 10-track collection (There is a hidden track on the CD version.) The passion of protest...

  The countless projects, collaborations, formats and associations for Sam Kelly over the last decade keep any interested follower busy. Playing a part among the elite and nurturing the grassroots all add to an influential involvement across the folk circuit. Yet there is one set up that keeps things moving forward when the opportunity arises. Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys is an established six-piece combo loaded with exceptional talent. They are core to what drives Sam Kelly on and a chance to plough a fertile furrow with long time collaborator Jamie Francis. The band has thrilled venues and festival fields for years, although a youthful zest implies a long future ahead. On the back of a brand new album under the band name, the mid-point of the launch tour called into Birmingham, a city that has hosted Kelly in many guises including self-named duos, a special one off with Ruth Noteman, guesting with Chris Cleverly and playing a prominent role in the Company of Players. Taking The Lo...

  www.samkelly.com Sam Kelly has long been viewed as a bridge between the generations, whether making records or contributing to the work of others. He is highly active among his peers in collaborative and production capacities, while in-demand from some of folk’s leading luminaries. The depth, breadth and artistry of DREAMERS DAWN points Kelly in the direction of the summit as a recording artist and you sense great strides accompanying the life of this fine album.  A great strength of Sam Kelly is to bring a fresh zest to a traditional sound. When keeping the past alive he applies a glossy coating to well-worn pieces. Ultimately, the future is best served by moving the writing process forward and the original numbers here sow seeds for a prosperous one.  Kelly intermingles four traditional songs with seven new compositions to give the album a wider appeal. The most attractive offering from the old time pool is the banjo-led foot stomper ‘ Gallows Pole ’. You get the full...