Gig Review: Sorrel Nation - Kitchen Garden, Kings Heath, Birmingham. Wednesday 29th April 2026

The future arrived around a quarter to ten on an ordinary Wednesday night in a suburban Kings Heath grassroots venue. In terms of first heard impact, ‘Ran Johnny Ran’ was up there with the unrivalled. The groundwork was now complete for Sorrel Nation to move onto album no.2. To the folk rock armoury, you can now add traditional country, or in other words a bonafide Americana act. The imagination added the pedal steel, leaving food for thought to the endless possibilities for release mode. For now it crowned a successful night when Birmingham hosted Sorrel Nation for the first time. It was neighbouring Sandwell that welcomed a full band show in the summer of ‘25.

The Kitchen Garden gig was one of the early dates on a spring tour keeping this southern based singer-songwriter in the spotlight. Its compact nature proved an ideal fit for a 4-piece band who played the bricked walls, stone floor, wooden ceiling and creaky staircase to a tee. An adaptive stage style reflected a freshened up approach to touring and an exceptional sound system brought each facet to the fore. 

Joining Sorrel Nation on stage were Theo Holder (cello), Sam Anderson (resonator guitar) and Hollie Garwood (electric bass and saw). The latter was the new addition compared to full band shows seen last year and also contributed backing vocals plus a significant part on a new cover. Anderson is up there with the best on the circuit and switched to deft playing in the absence of being able to occasionally rock out on electric for certain numbers. Holder’s cello was being gradually introduced as a live feature when first seeing the trio format in Leamington Spa over 18 months ago and is now a core component bringing fine touches to the proceedings. 

Since first encountering the music of Sorrel Nation in September 2024 via her debut album LOST EN ROUTE  the evolution has been impressive. Countless shows and festival slots have honed the live act, the 9 debut album songs have fully bedded in and the next phase has begun to take shape.

A landmark moment is set for October this year when album no.2 is released. The previews are beginning to ramp up and a decent helping was shared in this dual set show, of which the running time was in line with the standard 45-minute first set followed by a second sailing up to the hour mark. 

It’s useful to kick any set off with the familiar and the opening trio of ‘Crazy For You’, ‘Trouble Again’ and ‘Old Man’ set the tone. Over time, songs like these have formed an own identity and you could detect the ease on stage in comparison to newer material finding its feet. The pick of the existing recordings was ‘Living Free’ played when the band were in full stride and enabling a perfect visualisation of an 88 year old skydiving grandmother. 

The only slight drawback to the set up was having to imagine the brutal electric parts on 'Lost en Route‘ and 'Dead Man’s Road’. They were still adapted well on resonator but missing something from when backed by drums. However, what was lost on one hand was gained in the overall feel to how the band dealt the songs. 

The new material is still in raw preview form, some recorded; others requiring further studio time. The overall verdict is a thumbs up and an appetite whetted for the autumn. If these songs develop as the predecessors then there is going to be an exciting new dynamic to future Sorrel Nation shows, whatever format is chosen. 

One snippet of information was her trademark closer, a beautiful version of ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’, has been studio cut for inclusion on the new album. While there is a case for keeping this much covered classic in the domain as just a live staple, the counter argument is the popularity may be a magnet for luring new Sorrel Nation fans, and any means to growth should be explored. A new innovative cover was featured this evening with the band putting their own slant on ‘In the Pines’. The shared vocal input came across well from Garwood’s opening verse to Holder’s baritone insert and a touch of classic rock input from Anderson. All underpinned by the stunning sound of Sorrel Nation, herself a prime vocalist of sheer class.

The past has been rewarding, the present reaffirming and the future enticing. Sorrel Nation is a treasured addition to the music scene. Her style, professionalism and presentational panache is a joy to engage with. She enters the Kitchen Garden archives with a massive tick and will surely be invited back. In the meantime, look out for that country song, not many first impressions land like that. 

www.sorrelnationmusic.com