Live Review: Elles Bailey - KK's Steel Mill Wolverhampton
30th November 2024
Support: Demi Marriner, True Strays
Words & Photos: Scott Clarke
Tonight was a cold one, it’s the end of November and from tomorrow the advent calendars begin along with the countdown to Christmas (if you haven’t started already). It’s almost the close of 2024 and for me, gig wise, it is as it’s my final venture to KK’s Steel Mill this year and to close out we have music from the Planet Rock presenter with her own regular 12pm show on Saturdays, Elles Bailey.
It was an unusual start to the night as Elles was actually first to take to the stage, as the modest turn out in KK’s tonight listened on, we learned that tonight would be recorded and Elles told us how she hand picked the people who she tours with, this was something that was a prominent feature throughout the night as the whole ensemble gave off family vibes.
Introducing up first tonight, Demi Marriner, a girl and her guitar who currently has 2,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
It’s no surprise to find Demi here tonight in support of Elles Bailey, as the two do have a recent history together, Demi performs as part of Elles band on guitar and backing vocals. Here tonight she stands on her own two feet providing us with entertainment and songs, one from her debut album, that saw release last year, The Things We Didn’t Say, but also a handful of new releases. Having an array of festivals and performances under her belt already, I was looking forward to seeing what Demi would deliver tonight for the awaiting KK’s audience. As she greeted the audience for her “Speed Dating” set we learned that it would consist of only 4 songs. Very speedy indeed and possibly the shortest set I’ve ever experienced. However. There is a very big however. As Demi began to sing and strum the chords on her guitar, what unfolded was an entirely mesmerising and captivating few minutes.
Setting things off with Sin, the crowd were immediately stunned into silence. Demi’s voice is nothing short of incredible. A combination of gentle and soft that exist because of the amazing control of the power that is behind it. Demi has a wonderful range and tone.
Repeat, Refrain is next up, her latest single and one that should be part of new material that she is planning on for next year. The melodies that Demi produces from her guitar is more than just strumming chords, there are subtle note changes and undertones throughout that add such texture and variance to compliment her wonderful voice and fill out a single instrument performance.
Another new track, as featured on Elles show on Planet Rock just earlier today is next, Need to Know is another that continues the wonderful performance. One that almost made me forget that I was in the pit photographing as I was lost in the moment.
Closing out tonight with an unreleased track in Good Guy Act. The black country local girl has done well, beautiful, funny, down to earth and approachable. Appreciative, thankful and immensely talented, Demi is not just one to watch, she’s a credit to the community and deserves her time in the spotlight.
It’s only a short set given the three acts that are on tonight and it is a bit of a shame as I do enjoy Country music and we just don’t seem to get it very often at all around here. Demi performs superbly, she has confidence and stage charisma to match her playing and songwriting ability and her voice is so smooth and easy to listen to that the first moments of this evening seem to have gone by in a flash leaving us wanting more. I suppose that’s her role as support, however she is currently in the process of her own headline tour running at the same time as touring with Elles, on which she is accompanied by her full band, she has the material and after tonight I’m sure she has some new fans too, oh and Demi, please do an acoustic album because this performance was magic.
Second on the bill tonight is True Strays, the band comprising of James Cameron and Joseph James, lifelong friends who are living the dream making their own music.
Opening up once again, Elles Bailey takes to the mic with a little back story about when she first met the band and being on the road with them. Their brand of Americana inspired blues rock is in full flow from the outset opening up with Desert Sound from the Matters to You EP.
They have vitality and energy on stage mixing up vocal duties. I think they grew into the performance as they went, as it was only 30 minutes on stage but they definitely made an impact and went down a treat with the KK’s faithful.
Following up with the tracks, Cold Heart Cold Black River, Heal the Haunting, Campesina for which the band were to call Demi back up to the stage, in what would be a turn out for the books for me in seeing an artist pull triple duty on a night appearing in every act. She was happily over at her own merch stand meeting and greeting when the call came from the stage which prompted her to dash through the crowd at breakneck speed. The final song, Let your Heart lead the Way saw both Demi and Elles on stage with True Strays for what is their final performance of the tour with her.
Mixing up distinct melodies and rhythm along with intricately complex guitar solos. The group definitely have a unique sound that bridges a gap between blues and country, erring on the side of rock with dirty tones and also throwing in a little 70’s vibe with the electronic organ.
A nice quote lifted from the bands website, “Their songs focus on the dirt that life throws at you and how struggle can be transformed into something better.” its something that benefits the life of anyone really but it does sum up their writing quite aptly and a lot of the messages that their songs convey such as don’t listen to other peoples versions of yourself, it’s a definite promotion of positivity and self belief.
In terms of build up on a night, they’re the perfect middle ground between Demi’s more country enthused opening and the coming of Elles raw blues power. Theres a nice blend of sounds present throughout the set, melodic undertones and bluesy riffs, a touch of psychedelia and harmonising vocals that give us a nice treat and a little of something different from the heavy metal and hard rock that usually graces this stage. The group go down very well with the appreciative crowd who were already in fine voice thanks to Demi and were eagerly anticipating Elles still to come.
For the final time tonight the lights dimmed and the crowds attention went from chit chat to focusing on the stage, the sound of the magical mystery tour echoed through the venue as making her way out to meet the fans was the dazzling Elles Bailey decked out in her sparkly best.
Starting out with Enjoy the Ride, it would set the course for the whole show which would see Beneath the Neon Glow, Elles’ latest record, played out in it’s entirety. I know this tour was supporting the album and was thus titled the same, however it is still uncommon for any artist to play the full album in one sitting, unless its some kind of anniversary or greatest hits tour. For Elles to put her whole album on display in a live setting shows she has utmost faith in the strength of the record.
Elles Bailey's performance tonight was nothing short of phenomenal. As soon as she stepped onto the stage, she captured the attention of everyone in the audience with her commanding presence and infectious energy. Her soulful voice filled the room, drawing listeners in and taking them on a musical journey they would not soon forget.
Leave the Light On follows and leads us into Ballad of a Broken Dream which sees Elles take up position behind the piano, reminiscing, she tells the tale of the track and how it was born with no intent on being on an album but has now since found its way onto the new record due to popular demand.
Matthew Jones beats out the drum pattern in the background as Elles takes us back in time with 1972 a song that longs for leaving the phones behind and having that face to face contact of old.
Over the Hill, one of several times tonight that has Elles and Demi harmonising on the vocals. Demi’s crystal high range offsets Elles smoky vocals and gives us a wonderful blend. Stealing someones seat next for Silhouette in a Sunset, the slow ballad that tells the tale of making new old friends. Its a good come down from the higher energy set so far and as Elles would later go on to say, her show is like a rollercoaster with highs and lows and highs and lows throughout. Its also noteworthy to mention the respectful appreciation that is on display from the audience, attentive listening and enjoying every moment and every note.
Hell or High Water from the album Road I Call Home is next in a departure from the newer material that breaks up the set slightly.
Elles takes a moment mid set to introduce her band, Johnny Henderson on piano, Matthew Waer on bass, Matthew Jones on Drums, Joe Wilkins guitar, Demi Marriner on guitar, each of which getting a nice round of applause from the crowd before they launch into Hole In my Pocket.
Elles addressed the crowd how she had put out a request for fans to nominate a song they wanted her to sing on her tours, but realising that people voting on the polls on Facebook and Instagram weren’t all actually attending the shows, she decided to keep the question as one to ask in the room. A nice touch and it adds a togetherness, involving the crowd in shaping the evening. After a selection of 4 and a vote by cheers, Medicine Man became the next song on the list.
Truth Ain’t Gonna Save Us, Love Yourself and Let It Burn which happens to be one of my favourites of Elles of the night, follow before we go back to the Shining in the Half Light album for The Game.
If This is Love then moves briskly into the final track of the night in Riding Out the Storm, another from the Shining in the Half Light album. As Elles and crew leave the stage, a steady clap beats throughout the crowd beckoning the inevitable encore.
Obliging, the band return for another run of tracks including Turn off the News, Angel from Montgomery, one of the tracks that was in the running in the 4 track audience selection earlier in the night, Elles deciding that she wanted to play it for us anyway despite it not winning the vote earlier and culminating in Sunshine City.
Her vocals were simply outstanding. Her voice effortlessly traversed the highs and lows of her songs, conveying raw emotion and depth with every note. Accompanied by a talented band, the seamless blend of instrumentation and vocals created a truly captivating experience for everyone in attendance.
Throughout the whole night, Elles leads us on a journey through her songwriting process, we usually hear a little bit about where the song came from or how it was inspired, its little behind the scenes information that adds to the performance and makes it so much more than just a play through of songs. As in independent artist, it cements her connection with her fan base and lets a lot of them in on her thought processes and the journey that ultimately leads to a better feeling of understanding and a deeper connection to the artist and the songs.
In terms of the band themselves, they gel so well, it goes back to what I mentioned earlier in the review, its like a close knit family. Elles was there in the pit supporting both other bands, she was on stage introducing them, she called them all up on stage at the finale for the final bow and her playful interactions with Demi especially feel almost sisterly. Its a wonderful closeness that comes across in their performances and allows them all to trust each other implicitly and to have an almost sixth sense about one another that really brings out each’s best.
The song selection for the evening was a perfect mix of blues and country, showcasing Elles’ versatility as an artist. As I said, to focus on her latest album primarily is a bold move and one that paid off tonight for the crowd were engaged from beginning to end. From heart-wrenching ballads to upbeat anthems, each song was delivered with passion and authenticity, resonating with the audience on a deep level.
She exuded confidence and charisma, engaging with the audience and creating a connection that transcended the physical space between performer and listener. Her interactions with the crowd added an intimate touch to the performance, making everyone feel like they were a part of something special.
Photo credits: Scott Clarke Photography
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