Reviews

Elles Bailey: Live At The Drill, Lincoln

Blues-rock stars rarely stop off in the sleepy and small, yet soulful city of Lincoln located in the rural county of Lincolnshire, UK. While there has been the odd curveball thrown, like Cream and some chap with the surname Hendrix playing the Barbeque 67 ‘out in the sticks‘ in a Georgian market town called Spalding, it’s almost a given me and my fellow yellow-bellies have to travel far and wide to see the very best of the genre in the flesh.

But something strange happened earlier this year. I was walking down the High Street craving a strong caffeine hit, and I saw a tour poster glued to an art-deco style building. Its psychedelic splatter of colour was eye-catching enough, with orange, reds, and blues sprouting in abundance. Yet, what struck me most was the name ‘Elles Bailey’ sprayed in big white font next to a picture of said chanteuse rocking a cowboy hat and a “lady stardust” jacket. I had to look more than twice to make sure my laser eyes weren’t kidding me, or perhaps it was a printing error — I’m sure there’s an Ellis Bailey out there somewhere?

Once I’d come round and realised it wasn’t a hoax, I struggled to contain my newly found neon glow. One of the UK’s most celebrated modern blues-rock artists was playing The Drill in Lincoln – literally a stone’s throw from my house, or to be more precise a good 20 minute march. I quickly booked tickets for my wife and in-laws, ready for the band’s opening night of her Beneath The Neon Glow tour.

Wednesday 25th September, 2024, soon came knocking, and the typically gloomy British weather didn’t disappoint, as the rain came down with vengeance and then some. Despite arriving at this friendly, historic, and lively venue looking like a drowned rat, it was great to see such a good turnout, all ready to enjoy the ride.

With a pleasant mix of previous Elles Bailey show-goers, and first-timers (like me and my party), we were all set for a great night. Before cooking up the main event, the Bristolian has plenty of lovely things to say about her support act and fellow band member Demi Marriner. I confess I hadn’t heard Marriner’s music prior to the show, but her charming personality and heartfelt songs were contagious.

Seamlessly blending Americana, country, and folk with her acoustic rhythm and fantastic lyrical arrangement, she gets the respect her rich, soulful music and captivating voice commands. Unfortunately for Demi, it’s no rest for the wicked, as she’s on double shift tonight, even managing an outfit change in the quick 15 minute changeover before Elles takes centre stage.

Riding a wave of confidence and obvious excitement at sharing the new songs off her latest LP Beneath The Neon Glow in a live setting with her fans for the first time, Elles opens with my new favourite driving tune that I rather unsubtly alluded to earlier — “Enjoy The Ride”. After being caught in a fierce downpour a little over an hour ago, I was now being windswept by an infectious chorus and shuffling beat that takes me cruising down an open road.

“Ballad Of A Broken Dream” is another beauty off Beneath The Neon Glow. Bringing a darker energy and a rousing chorus line, it’s an early glimpse into the band’s musical nouse.

“Let It Burn” is pure fire, with Bailey revealing the song was a gift from singer-songwriter Katey Brookes. Brookes placed her trust in Elles to “finish the story“, of this broken relationship song. Towering and atmospheric in equal parts, Marriner’s gospel-like accompaniment to Bailey’s impassioned vocals fills everyone in The Drill with goosebumps.

It’s always nice to see some oldies resurface, such as “Girl Who Owned The Blues” from Wildfire. This delightful, melancholic ode to Janis Joplin sees Elles take a seat behind the piano next to the irrepresible Jonny Henderson on hammond organ, with the melodic fretwork of guitarist Joe Wilkins the perfect vehicle to Bailey’s soulful pipes. Which reminds me Jonny — any chance of another Matt Schofield Trio record?

The whole crowd is summoned to wave their arms on the bluesy, beautiful mid-tempo mess of “Riding Out The Storm” from the Shining In The Half Light album and they duly oblige, but the biggest surprise comes on “Hate That I Love You” as one of the most underrated guitarists in the blues-rock stratosphere Aynsley Lister emerges. After confessing he’s taken a detour on route to Heathrow, he showcases his ear for a catchy melody alongside the smoky-voiced Elles in a glorious expression of music that sees two authentic talents collide.

Such is the pain and anguish it delivers, Elles reminds us to “Turn Off The News” on the penultimate number of the evening, before transporting us to “Sunshine City”. An antipode of the despair I just felt, this out-and-out rocker sees the band firing up the juggernaut to its max, with the electrifying Lister returning to solo after some sublime slide work from Wilkins and pacy percussion from drummer Matthew Jones.

Despite some unfortunate circumstances, namely a technical fault with her earpiece and an audience member falling ill, Elles and her comrades take it all in their stride throughout. As an songstress who admits “craving a connection and energy with her audience“, you can’t help but warm to the organic nature of Bailey and her bandmates.

I leave The Drill feeling beyond content, and yet contemplative at the same time. Then again, that’s what lyrically vulnerable songs that jump between moods and styles with ease do to you. Thank you Elles and the band for stopping off at lil’ old Lincoln — don’t forget us — I, for one will remember this night for many a moon.

At the time of writing, the first run of the tour has come to an end, but starts back up on the 10th October 2024 when Elles and the band head to The Arts Club Loft in Liverpool. Full details of the second part of the Beneath The Neon Glow tour can be found here.

Photo Credit: Tony Pitchford.

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