Music / Elles Bailey
Review: Elles Bailey, SWX – ‘There’s nothing like a hometown crowd to kick a gig into the next dimension’
Award-wining singer Elles Bailey’s homecoming show at SWX was a captivating, spellbinding gig which showcased her unique blend of Americana, country, rock and blues.
There’s nothing like a hometown crowd to kick a gig into the next dimension.
Bristol native Elles has amassed a horde of blues and Americana awards ever since her 2017 debut and her fourth album, Beneath The Neon Glow, has characteristically won widespread acclaim.
is needed now More than ever
The album delves into the many facets of love with lyrically vulnerable and brutally honest songwriting.
Elles Bailey has amassed a horde of blues and Americana awards ever since her 2017 debut – photo: Rob Blackham
Along with her core band comprising Joe Wilkins (guitar), Jonny Henderson (keyboards), Matthew Jones (percussion/drums), Matthew Waer (bass), and backing singer and acoustic guitarist Demi Marriner, Elles has produced an album of self-awareness.
Opening with a joyous foursome of Enjoy The Ride, Leave The Light On, Ballad of a Broken Dream and 1972 gave us a heads-up of what to expect.
Elles’ sultry and powerful vocals coupled with the band’s rich, full sound filled every corner of the venue.
Upbeat crowd pleaser Enjoy The Ride perfectly encapsulated Elles’ passion for live performance while the deeply personal song about her husband and her many nights away on tour, Leave A Light On, helped us all feel more connected to her.
Upbeat crowd pleaser Enjoy The Ride perfectly encapsulated Elles’ passion for live performance – photo: Rob Blackham
Ballad of a Broken Dream, another beauty off the album, brought a darker energy as it told the poignant tale of a musician who has burned too many bridges and finds solace only on stage.
Elles’ evocative lyrics create a compelling narrative: “Here he sits playing for tips and no one knows his name.”
The vibe goes retro with the percussive, sunshine love tune 1972, a natural single with an instantly memorable chorus, backing vocals, and a bubbling, understated blues guitar from the talented Wilkins.
I love the fact that Bristol can claim two of the greatest guitarists in the industry at this time, Joe Wilkins and Chris Buck from Cardinal Black, both of whom have strong links to the city.
Elles’ evocative lyrics create a compelling narrative – photo: Rob Blackham
Next, an inspired good-time cover of John Martyn’s Over The Hill is upbeat from the off, while the song that follows after, Silhouette In A Sunset brings the pace down a little and sees Johnny Henderson’s keyboard playing come to the fore.
Wistfulness meets wide-eyed wonder in this serene song, co-written with Tamara Stewart.
What follows is an emotional rollercoaster.
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Demi Marinner takes up the acoustic guitar as Joe Wilkins lead lines introduce Hell Or High Water.
Elles’ warm, husky vocal now soaring, her connection with her fans palpable, as she took a moment to express her gratitude, clearly touched by how much her music resonated with them.
Wilkins played an absolute blinding solo before Hole In My Pocket ground its groovy bluesy way ahead of audience favourite Medicine Man from Elles’ second album Road I Call Home.
It’s always nice to see some oldies resurface, such as Girl Who Owned The Blues from her first album Wildfire.
This delightful, melancholic ode to Janis Joplin sees Elles take a seat behind the piano next to the irrepressible Jonny Henderson on organ, with the melodic fretwork of guitarist Wilkins the perfect vehicle to Elles’ soulful pipes.
Elles may be the focus of the band, but she always makes sure every member gets a good slice of the limelight.
The funk and soul party song Love Yourself got everybody grooving before we heard the soulful banger Truth Ain’t Gonna Save Us, a song about a relationship that just isn’t working.
Elles really let her rock side rip on the epic Let It Burn, a song which Elles revealed, to the audience’s delight, was a gift from singer-songwriter Katey Brookes.
The song had wonderful harmonies and Wilkins eased out a David Gilmour-esque solo that was breathtaking.
Elles’ voice is truly something special – photo: Rob Blackham
The energy kept building with The Game and If This Is Love bringing us to Riding Out The Storm, the closing track, with the crowd urged to wave their arms along as they listened to the bluesy, mid-tempo track from the Shining In The Half Light album.
Elles reminded us to Turn Off The News for the first track of the encore, a song which reflects on the privilege of those who can “turn off the pain” after watching whatever horrific events unfolded in the world that day, before transporting us to the out-and-out rocker and show closer Sunshine City.
Elles’ voice is truly something special – it’s equal parts raw and refined, fused with a real depth and emotionality – a heady blend of Stevie Nicks and Dusty Springfield. Soulful yet raw, with that raspy ragged edge that just gets you.
Already making waves as a genre-blending roots singer-songwriter, tonight Elles proved why she’s one of the most electrifying live performers today.
The future of country, Americana and blues is in very safe hands.
Main photo: Rob Blackham
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