So, after performing over thirty shows across three different countries and to over 12,000 people, the Elles Bailey Tour concludes tonight in Sheffield at the Corporation. So tonight is party night! Def Leppard may think they have the number one gig in Sheffield tonight, but Elles Bailey and her band have other ideas.
Firstly we have the excellent Brave Rival, not Rival Sons, as the notice on the wall of the Corporation says. Now that would have been cool. Maybe one day Elles Bailey will get her wish to perform with them. Well back to Brave Rival, and there is certainly a buzz about this band with tonight being the first time I have managed to catch them live. I have their excellent debut album ‘Life’s Machine’ and their live CD too which I love, so hopefully they will exceed expectations. As I enter the Sheffield Corporation, Brave Rival are already on stage and halfway through ‘What’s Your Name Again’ from ‘Life’s Machine’, the room is already full with everyone clearly making sure they don’t miss a minute, which unfortunately I did. ‘Secrets’ is next and Chloe explains this is about Lindsey’s heartache about a bad, bad man who had been cheating on her for three years. A groovy riff gives this catchy number a familiar feel and I can hear the crowd singing along. “Don’t worry she got rid of him”, Chloe states at the end.
‘Guilty Love’ is next, which is so catchy, Chloe and Lindsey trading vocals and what great harmonies. Brave Rival slow things down for the bluesy number ‘Break Me’, some beautiful delicate vocals from Chloe and Lindsey, passion and emotional charged this song builds with Ed Clarke letting rip on guitar as it builds and builds, fantastic stuff. ‘Thin Ice’ gets Chloe and Lindsey whipping up the Sheffield choir on this one as they get all to sing a long, you’re no good for me. A new tune which was only completed a couple of weeks ago is unleashed on the Sheffield audience ‘Fire with Fire’. Brave Rival certainly know how to write a great tune and if this one is anything to go by then the next album is going to be a corker. Ed Clarke begins the next one with some emotionally driven guitar before the rhythm section of Billy Dedman on bass and Donna Peters on drums kicks in. Brave Rival at their best on this one, Come Down is an epic track finishing with some amazing vocal gymnastics from the 2 lead vocalist. Heart Attack their 2nd single finishes the short set but, what a set it was, this has wetted my appetite for more. I definitely want to see a headlining show on the strength of tonight and yes they did indeed exceed expectations.
Elles Bailey and her band can do no wrong for me, and tonight has an ‘end of tour’ party-feel. ‘It’s Only Rock and Roll But I Like It’ sings Elles Bailey as she hits the stage before going straight into ‘The Game’, the band are on fire straight away, swirling Hammond from Jonny Henderson and Demi Marriner’s sweet backing vocals and I am in heaven. ‘Stones’ follows before going into ‘Colours Start to Run’. Elles explains this was written about wanting the world to slow down a bit, but who could have guess what would have happened with lockdown. ‘Spinning Stopped’ is about becoming a mother in a global pandemic as Elles explains. ‘Perfect Storm’ is Elles favourite song off ‘Wildfire’ and explains it’s about a little town on the banks of the Tennessee River where such great music came from and I for one feel that this one could have come right out of there too. What a song taken to another level live with Elles and Demi giving it everything they have vocally, unbelievable amazing. Elles gives Demi Marriner a plug for her new up and coming debut album ‘The Things We Didn’t Say’ and on her performance tonight it’s another one to get. ‘Shining in the Half Light’ is next before the awesome and funky Hammond ladened ‘Help Somebody’ and then ‘Medicine Man’ both from Elles second album ‘Road I Call Home’.
‘Halfway House’, which Elles explains is about heartache but went on to say that after listening to the mixes she felt she had written a song about Brexit. What ever it’s about it’s one awesome song and one of my favourites. Elles voice is sublime in this one. ‘Cheats and Liars’ is about everyone ex’s and in 2024 this will include the Tory Government states Bailey – that’s one prediction I hope comes true. Elles and Demi are as one on this song, the harmonies blow me away. A storming version of the John Martyn song ‘Over the Hill’, which is on the deluxe version of ‘Shining in the Half Light’ which I don’t have just yet, but after hearing it I will be getting it very soon. ‘Hole in my Pocket’ is followed by another cover and this time it is a Creedence song, ‘As Long as I Can See The Light’ and what a cover it is, a storming version. ‘Riding Out The Storm’ finishes the set in style but the Sheffield crowd clearly wanting more and Elles duly obliges.
The encore of ‘Mercy Now’ by Mary Gauthier is breathtakingly beautiful before all hell breaks loose on stage as Chloe and Lyndsey from Brave Rival join them for ‘Sunshine City’. Four of the most amazing vocalists there are on one stage clearly having a great time together, its clearly end of tour party night in Sheffield.
So one hour thirty minutes of the best blues, soul rock or whatever you want to call it music there is. Elles Bailey’s voice is one of the best in the business, soulful yet raw with that raspy ragged edge that just gets you, simply sublime. When you add in Demi Marriner on backing vocals you have a combination that is world class. Elles Bailey’s band are sublime, the perfect vehicle for Elles song writing and vocal talents. Elles Bailey can do no wrong and her band are right up there with the very best live bands I have ever seen. They are that good indeed, if you haven’t seen them live then why not! I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
GALLERY by David Pickles
