Bristol-based singer-songwriter Kelsey Bovey is definitely one to watch. Music has been a part of her life since she was just eight years old; she has worked hard continuously to develop into the artist she is today. In 2019 she released her debut EP which was titled Its My Time which included the single, Define Me! The single charted at number 29 in the singer-songwriter charts on Itunes. The other songs on the EP cover topics that many people can relate too such as rumours or unhealthy relationships.
Following the release of that EP she was labelled as an emerging artist to watch by Duggystone Radios. In addition to that, she joined forces with Scarlet River Management who supported her with making big plans for 2020. She was also nominated or Fair Play Modern Country Female Vocalist & songwriter of the year; the result for this will be out later this year in November. There are a number of artists who inspire her such as Ariana Grande and Jess Glynne. The reason they inspire her is because they create music that she herself hopes to create; music that is empowering and honest. She hopes that by using personal experiences she will be able to create songs that other people will relate too.
Image credit: Kelsey Bovey Press Release for Magnetic.
Magnetic | New Release
Her new single, Magnetic, is set to drop tomorrow (May 22nd 2020) – and this is one you do not want to miss! It was recorded and produced by Danny McMahon and Andrea Succi at Puzzle Maker Studios. The story behind Magnetic focuses on the feelings of fear we have all experienced in new relationships in someway. Personally I felt that it could be a response to feelings caused by unhealthy relationships; a topic she covered in her song Lady In Red. It touches on the fears we experience of falling in love with somebody who may not feel the same. This is something we have all felt and the track is so cleverly written, produced and performed that it can be applied to all stories or situations. On the other hand, it is a upbeat, honest, relatable and catch tune that tells a powerful story but also brings us hope. Its a solid 10/10 track, there is no doubt about that. It posses all the ingredients for an incredible track -including an exceptional vocal performance by an amazing young artist!
Conclusion
Overall, YOU need to hear this song as soon as possible – that is just how mesmerising it is! Pre-order Magnetic now on your chosen streaming platform and be prepared to be hooked! I can almost guarantee you will be drawn to it! In addition to that, follow Kelsey on her journey in music by following her social links above!
First, I would like to thank you for reading and ask you to tell me about a song that you relate too? Secondly, let me know below if you have pre-ordered the track or followed Kelsey!
For a moment lets take it back to my first experience of Brett Eldredge, long before I even had the honour and privilege of seeing him live. There is a song he released that I feel a strong pull towards, a song that tells a powerful story and a song that he so beautifully recorded. Since hearing that song, a track titled Raymond, I was hooked on his music. Thankfully I was at Country to Country last year when Brett made his first appearance. There were a lot of highlights to his set but to hear Raymond live for the first time is an experience I will never forget. Ever since that evening, that breathtakingly beautiful performance I vowed to listen to more of his music, to learn more of his story and to see him again as soon as the opportunity presented itself. During the recent months Brett has been focused on his upcoming album.
The crowds were eagerly awaiting Brett to take to the stage, cheering and encouraging the Illinois native to take centre stage. It was a Monday night in the city of Manchester but there was no sign of Monday blues on the faces of the crowds throughout the O2 Ritz. It was his first time performing in Manchester, but his third visit to the UK and it was obvious that everybody had been just as excited as I was about this show. He opened the set with a completely new song, a track called Good Day a song that seemed to set the scene for the rest of the show. The american singer-songwriter then made an announcement, one which once again gave the crowd a taste of what was to come ‘”We’re gonna get wild tonight” he said before moving on to two tracks that everybody was singing along too Somethin’ I’m Good At and Don’t Ya.
It was clear that Brett was excited to be touring the UK , his interaction with the crowd throughout his set which lasted a little over an hour and a half shown us all just how thankful he was. A clear fan favourite was Love Someone, the crowd was swaying from side to side as they sang along to this incredible track. Most of his set did focus on his existing repertoire however on a few occasions Brett gave us an taster of his new music, Crowd My Mind was the second new track he let us experience. Weeks later I still can’t find the right words to explain the impact that song had on me – you could hear the emotion in Brett’s voice, I was left speechless, it was a wonderfully powerful ballad. The story behind the song is one that the majority of the population will relate too whether it be romantically or not, its about not being able to get somebody of your mind (Aw!)
A rousing cover of Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love arrived before Brett stripped things down for two acoustic songs – Raymond and The Long Way. Raymond, a song about Brett’s grandmother battling dementia, is truly heart-breaking when played acoustic and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t struggling to hold back the tears. The Long Way picked up the mood slightly and it made me yearn for a solo acoustic record from Brett in the future. One of the night’s surprises came next when Brett covered Billie Eilish’s When The Party’s Over. On paper it shouldn’t work but in reality it was a real highlight, and dare I say Brett’s version was preferable to the original?
A storming rendition of Lose My Mind led into the night’s final new song, Magnolia, before a mash-up of The Reason and The Temptations’ My Girl had the audience singing once again. The triple punch of Mean to Me, Fire and Wanna Be That Song continued the sing-a-long before Brett left the stage. He returned minutes later for an encore that consisted of a gorgeous piano-led rendition of One Mississippi and an energetic performance of Beat of the Music.
Once the end of the night arrived, Brett bid farewell to the crowd and emphasised how special the night had been to him. With three visits under his belt, I expect Brett will play even bigger venues on his next tour. As a performer he’s energetic and incredibly giving, and as an artist he’s endearing and compelling. His infectious energy is at the centre of everything he does and I left the show excited about his next album and feeling lucky to watch his incredible rise to superstardom.
As this post is a little delayed due to a number of reasons I would also like to add that his new album is set for release on July 10th 2020 with a number of tracks available to stream now, including Crowd My Mind, which he played during this concert. If you haven’t already head over to your favourite streaming platform and download the pre-released tracks, you won’t be disappointed!
Tell me about one song that speaks volumes to you?
Kelly xox
PS: Sorry I didn’t cover Lauren in this, I was so excited to finally see her live that I got lost in the music – but I can tell you she was absolutely incredible!
Madison Kozak, born in Ontario, Canada, was just ten years old when she performed at the Havelock Country Jamboree and won the singing contest! It was following that performance that she realised her dream was to become a country singer! From a young age she has been raised on artists such as Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash thanks to her dads love for country music. Everything the rising star knows and loves about country music is because of the precious time she spent with her dad as a child playing local shows as well as learning how to play guitar. Its safe to say her parents were supportive of her dream, especially when you learn that at age fourteen she convinced them to move to Nashville. It was during her time as a student at Belmont University that she realised she didn’t just want to perform country music, she wanted to share her story by writing music too.
She is currently supporting Chase Rice on his ‘Pint of Anything Tour’ across the UK and on 15th January 2020 she performed for the first time in Manchester. I was quite distracted at the start of the set with trying to get a drink from the bar – but I know she opened the set with a track called Little Bit Of You followed by a medley of I wanna dance with somebody. I’ll admit the first song is the only one that didn’t captivate me – the rest of her set however had me on the edge of my seat. She spoke about how she swore she would never write a love song but since finding ‘her person’ it’s all she writes, the second song she performed Click is a song for ‘your person’ aw! On the other hand, before the ‘Click man’ there was a bad boy who’s name she said was Kyle – he was the bad boy – she told us that story with her third song of the set called phases – a song about not knowing whether they’re coming or going (PS: This song is about as real as it gets). Then came a song she wrote for her father one year when she was a broke student, it’s was also her debut single – First Last Name, it’s safe to say I had goosebumps, butterflies and a lump in my throat during this performance, it was so raw and beautiful – I was completely mesmerised. Click, Phases and First Last Name have been on repeat in my head ever since! She has a bright future ahead of her!
Check Madison out on the social links above and if you get the opportunity to catch her performing live I would highly recommend you take it!
With the lights dimmed, Gorilla in Manchester was finally ready for North Carolina native, Chase Rice. At 600 capacity I believe Gorilla is the biggest venue that Chase has ever played in Manchester – and the show was sold out! To me those statistics alone prove that Chase Rice is becoming fairly popular in my city! The cheers when the music began only added to my believes. His band members appeared, the first couple of lines from Lions could be heard, a quote from the Lords Prayer. The crowd cheered but Rice was no where to be seen – his vocals however still filled the room. When the song reached the chorus that’s when Chase took to the stage. He went for a look that he has become known for; a t-shirt, some jeans and a hat with his brand printed on the front of it – but his presence alone was enough to send the crowd wild. Having seen Chase alone on a few occasions I was eager to experience a full band performance. Lions was the perfect mix of country and rock – as well as the first opportunity we got as an audience to see the passion and talent of his band-mates. It became clear very quickly why Jeremy Roberson had been branded as 2019 drummer of the year for a american music magazine. Each band member, including Rice, performed with such high energy but perhaps the one that stood out more, aside from Chase – was Marcelo – the bass player, his energy as well as his smile were contagious.
We Do It Like This and Jack Daniels Showed Up are the two songs that followed. Jack Daniels Showed Up on gave Chase the opportunity to discuss his choice of drink – Jack Daniels, as well as how he believes that the drink should get some credit for some of his songs! He then announced his upcoming album titled the album – part one – will be released in the next couple of weeks, before explaining the song that followed had not made the album but that he loved playing it! The song titled The City, a song which is simply about going to the city – whatever city that may be, even though the song describes Nashville, oh what a great city!
During his set Chase was constantly sharing stories, ones which made it easy for the audience to relate to his music. Rice always comments on how the audience is so different in the UK compared to back home – and how he loves to spend time here! Due to his love for the UK – and the fans love for him, its no surprise he played a song inspired by one night in Ireland during his set – 25 Wexford St. I’ve been walking around work singing this on repeat so I guess its safe to assume its catchy, I’ve also downloaded it on my apple music – you should too!
Gonna Wanna Tonight, On Tonight and Unforgettable all had the crowd singing along, proving to Chase just how much we love his music over here. Rice discussed how they rarely play Unforgettable but the way they performed that track was what I would describe as perfect – it will always be one of my favourite tracks! Normally standing at barrier I don’t usually get to see the full extent of crowd interaction, but on this occasion I took a seat at the back and it was incredible to see the level of interaction Chase had with the crowd. Lonely If You Are was the next track Chase performed – it is also his most recent single. I remember being so excited when he started discussing the story behind the next song, explaining how it was the follow up to his first number one. As soon as he started singing this it became clear it was a fan favourite by their reaction.
Having moved to Nashville in 2010 Rice had a dream of writing music, similar to that of his opening act, and there was one quote he heard that became the focus of his career. It gives reference to what Harlan Howard believes country music is – Three Chords And The Truth. Personally, and I have felt this way every single time I have had the pleasure of seeing Chase live, it focuses on his personal feelings about country music too. I could watch him sing that one song live over and over because the amount of passion and emotion he puts into it is incredible.
Next came a song – as well as hilarious guest interaction, which at previous shows as split the audience in half in terms of their opinions. I honestly believe that every artist needs a song like Ride, one that has mixed reactions – because regardless of their thoughts it catches their attention. Chase invited a lady up on stage who was attending his show with her husband of forty years (kudos to the couple). He was quick to make sure she was comfortable – and just as quick to joke around with her and her husband which had the majority of the crowd giggling – including the lady on the stage. Its safe to say that things got a little hot in Gorilla after that.
Following the heat of the previous track, Chase decided it was take a journey back to where it all began. His band members took a break from the stage for a few songs and he was left centre stage with his guitar in hand. I love when artists mix it up like this as acoustic sets always give the show a personal touch, a greater insight to the person behind the songs. Chase did just that by singing one of his personal all time favourite tracks – Carolina Can is simply a song about where he was raised. Its a reminder that no matter how crazy life gets to always remember the place you came from and where it all began. Every time I hear this song I just close my eyes and let the lyrics sink in, if you need a track to remind you of everything you have to be thankful for – listen to Carolina Can.
Before inviting the band back on the stage he sang two other songs; Best Night Ever and Jack Daniels and Jesus. The first one is a new song about a night on his farm, the second one is one of his personal favourites too (and is my all time favourite). I feel both these show the range of his talent, both lyrically and musically. I’m not sure if Best Night Ever will be on his upcoming record but a girl can dream, but for now I’ve got a live recording!! In my opinion the highlight of the show was his performance of Jack Daniels and Jesus, I will admit though that I’m biased when it comes to that song with it being my personal favourite, but its just so incredible to watch it live.
During Eyes on You he recorded the crowd singing the chorus telling the audience he was going to show everybody back home because he loves the UK crowds. Following that he sang a song he wrote, but Florida Georgia Line cut – Cruise – which got everybody in the crowd singing along once again. This track was his first number one as a song writer!
The end of the set consisted of his introducing all members of his band, letting them pick a song and perform a mixture of the songs as a medley; it featured songs by artists such as Blink 182, Lynyrd Skynyrd and even Neil Diamond. I feel this little medley showcased the range of talent that not only Chase has but his whole band too! Following that they performed one final song, another fan favourite which had them swaying from side to side, singing along and dancing – Ready Set Roll.
Overall the set was filled with energy, passion, stories as well as wonderful interaction between every member of the band anc members of the audience. Every time I see a Chase show they seem to just get bigger and better every time, it has me excited for his next UK tour – I may even catch a show in the US during my trip in March. For those lucky enough to be in the US all the time, you’ll be happy to know that he is supporting Brantley Gilbert on his upcoming tour, so get your tickets now! For Chase fans all around the world remember that the new album we have all been waiting for titled the album – part one, will be out in a couple of weeks. Be sure to check out my blog within a couple days of its release for a review!
In the mean time be sure to check Chase Rice out on his social links above, give him a follow and download his music. If you need any recommendations for songs to listen too – comment below!
Finding your own place in the music industry is about creating a unique sound or style that cant be found. Its a difficult task, a task that Willie Jones has clearly worked hard on achieving. When I saw the set up of the stage with a mix table I was sceptical as to how his set would turn out – and even more sceptical about how he could be an opener for Michael Ray. It soon became clear exactly how he fit into the show which was simply just by being himself. In a similar way to Holloway Road who I’ve mentioned in a number of posts before, along with other artists like Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line, Willie is ignoring the typical boundaries or stereotypes of country music in his own way. By creating their own look or sound such artists are reminding us that country music is about far more than just a cowboy hat, boots or trucks – country music is about roots, relationships and real life stories.
The two songs that I remember the most from his set show just how diverse his repertoire is. Lead Me Back Home is a beautiful acoustic track with an even more beautiful story about some of Willies greatest inspirations in his career; his mother as well as his home. Bachelorettes on Broadway is that one track that is needed at every single party, not just on Broadway but all over the world. Its a catchy upbeat tune which shows the audience just how much fun a Willie Jones show can be. Overall, at first I was a little unsure of what to expect from Willie as an artist plus his set up left me questioning how he could fit into the bill. However, he soon quashed all my doubts – regardless of his style, sound or differences compared to other artists he is an amazing musician who creates a unique sound that works perfectly for him. I’d happily support any future shows he plays over here!
Michael Ray played his first UK sets back in March at popular country music festival, C2C; Country to Country. If you look back on previous posts you will see that I reviewed C2C in three parts (one, two and three), Michael is featured in a couple of the posts. The singer-songwriter was featured on the spotlight stage, pop-up stages and even headlined one of the after parties. One of the C2C highlights for me was Michael Ray, especially when I got to meet him after one of his sets. The cheers from the audiences after each track seemed to get even louder showing Michael that he had a fanbase here that he needed to return for. Luckily for his fans Michael had no intentions of making them wait long and soon announced a UK headlining tour.
Firstly, its important to mention the venue; Night and Day Cafe is a small venue especially considering the attention Michael got during C2C; he could have chosen a bigger venue but didn’t. There’s a reason why, Michael mentioned during the set and in interviews prior to his tour that this was his opportunity to get to know the fans while they got to know the story behind his songs a little more too. This is also the same reason the tour was an acoustic set up focusing on his vocals, stories and the guitars. The intention was to make fans feel as though they were in a living-room, to let them know they could ask questions so Ray could work on building a special relationship with his fans here in the UK. For me it was clear that he achieved his goal, his interaction with fans throughout the set was amazing and the crowd seemed to enjoy every moment of it. Review, Concerts & Live shows, Music & Memories, Manchester, US country singer, Chase Rice I will cover more on this area later as something very special happened which made the relationship between one of Michael’s songs that even more special.
His setlist gave the audience an insight into different times in his personal life and career. Kiss You In The Morning was the first single Michael released which peeked at number 10 in the US country charts. It was the song that really started his story as a country music artist so by opening with this track he took the audience on a journey back to where it all began. It set the mood for the whole show in my opinion plus the stories he told captivated the audience from start to finish. Personally speaking I feel that I found out more about him during than short set than I could ever find on the internet.
We didn’t just learn the stories behind the songs, we also learned the type of person Micheal was. Dancing Forever and Her World or Mine are two songs that cover the importance of his family, the things they went through as well as the impact it had on him both as an artist and a person. During his set he mentioned that Dancing Forever was a song that he wrote with his sister in mind but that it had taken on a whole new meaning since his relationship with Carly had began. To me this song is about more than just watching them dance, its about watching the ones you love being happy and achieving their goals – its a beautiful track. The music video for Her World or Mine was released just before his show, until I saw the video and heard him speak about the story behind it I assumed it was a break-up song but its more than that. The song is about the impact his parents divorce had on him growing up, about a bad relationship his sister had and also about the loss of his grandmother. The way I look at that song has been forever changed by hearing the real story behind it. In addition to that, the emotion behind the performance shown the audience how important this track was to Michael. Check out the official video to Her World Or Mine below!
Another topic Michael’s music focuses on is relationships; this was seen during his set with songs like Girl From Spring Break, I’m Gonna Miss You, Get To You and the last track of the evening; a fan favourite – One That Got Away. One thing I noticed is that if you listen to the lyrics they could all be used as a response to each other. Michael may not have intended it in to be this way but it really does make the story of his songs flow together nicely and also shows just how talented he is.
As mentioned previously something very special happened to me during Rays set, I had reached out the afternoon of the show asking him to play Drink One For Me, a track which has come to remind me of my little brother. I remember thinking as he was speaking that he couldn’t possibly be speaking about me, but he was – he outlined the message and I raised my hand declaring it was me who had sent the message. He asked my name then went on to not only dedicated the song to my brother but to raise a glass to him after the song finished. The whole experience taught me something about Michael as an artist, he truly cares about his fans being able to find a connection to his music. Moreover, this is a memory that will stick with me throughout my life just because of how much consideration he had for my story. If I had to rank this for my overall experience at a concert it would be in my top three of all time. If you’re reading this Michael, thank you for what you did for me that night – thank you for sharing my story, for understanding me and for remembering my brother with me in such a beautiful way. What made it even more beautiful is that the next trackhe played Dancing Forever, is one that reminds me of all of my siblings. Its safe to say I was emotional.
He ended the set with three songs which in my opinion are clear fan favourites; Her World or Mine, Think a Little Less and One That Got Away. By doing this he left myself as well as the rest of the audience craving more. I for one can not wait for him to return, I will be supporting him at every UK tour he does from now on until he sells out the O2 (I believe its only a matter of time). If your looking for an artist who’s songs tell a truthful story then you really should check Michael out; his social links are above.
PS: I got to meet him after his set too!
Image credit: Travel and Tunes
Tell me about a special memory you have from a concert or with your favourite artists below.
Holloway Road have built their own image of what country music looks like straying away from the typical boots and hats. Their look is one thing many remember about the duo, but there are many other factors that make them stand out! What I noticed about vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Jack Cooper and Robert Gulston is the chemistry they had with one another on stage. The chemistry is outlined by their obvious passion when interacting with the audience as well as the energy they give to every single song (and performance).
Their set included songs such as Reckless, Get the Girl and Lightning – each of which was performed perfectly. Even if you’re not familiar with their songs, this essex-based duo will have you singing along in no time. They typically tour with their band which I’ve heard only positive reviews about however I’ve yet to be so lucky to see a full band performance. On the other hand, I’ve seen the duo twice now without a band and on both occasions they have put on a great show.
Overall, both as an opener and headliner Holloway Road can get the crowd in the mood for a show! Their relationship is clearly a big part of their performance, career as well as their songs in general – and its a incredible thing to see. As I have stated a number of times they are leaving their own unique mark on the country music industry.
If you’re looking for a UK based country band with their own image then be sure to check Holloway Road out on the social links above. The links will also provide you with the opportunity to keep up to date with news related to the band including upcoming shows or new music.
Writers Round
Introducing Nashville was launched with the hopes of providing country fans all over the world with a type of event popular in music city – Nashville. Its no surprise such a event is now available in cities across the globe, even if it is just every so often, as country music has become more popular around the world in recent years.
All four artists were on the stage, which is obvious considering the style of event it was, however it was incredible to see how supportive they were of one another during performances. For those who are not familiar with writers rounds the artists take it in turns to share the stories behind the songs they perform giving the audience a way to gain understanding – as well as maybe gain a deeper connection, to the songs of the artists. The event I attended in Manchester on October 16th 2019 had an amazing line-up bringing country artists Rachel Wammack, Travis Denning, Walker Hayes and Danielle Bradbery to the stage. To start I will mention that I believe each of these artists bring their own unique style, sound and stories to country music.
For the first time ever, I’ve struggled finding the right words for this artist. Rachel Wammack is one of those artists I’ve been waiting to see for what feels like a long time, due to the connection I feel to most of her songs. When you build a strong connection with any song (or artist) it can be difficult to hear it live due to having extremely high expectations. I’ll be the first to admit on many occasions I’ve doubted an artist could perform a song to my level of expectations; sometimes I’ve been right and others I’ve been wrong. With Rachel, I was wrong. She far exceeded any expectations I had with every track she sang including two of my personal favourites closure and damage. The performance was all that more powerful live as you could not only hear the emotion but see it too. It was obvious that as an artist Rachel felt a connection to the lyrics she was sharing.
Rachel is an Alabama native who signed to Sony Music Nashville last year releasing her EP in April followed by Damage during the summer of 2018. Considering she is a fairly new artist she has taken the industry by storm finding her own unique place in the market. The Manchester crowd seemed to warm to her falling for her powerful vocals, beautiful ballads as well as incredible stories she shared about her songs. She also sang her most recent single called Something People Say as well as an unreleased track, both of them have the potential to be a hit! I won’t give you all too much information on that unreleased track but I will say she wrote it for her husband, it is a story many of us will find a connection too in someway – I’m hoping she releases it soon!
Overall, in my opinion her performance of Damage was perhaps the most beautiful live performance I’ve ever seen by any artist! The way she performed that song took the connection I felt to the track to a whole new level. It was phenomenal. This woman is on a journey to a very exciting place and if you want to join her on that journey then be sure to check out her social media links above to follow her career.
Until March of this year I had no idea who Georgia boy Travis Denning was, thankfully I was lucky enough to see his set at Country to Country. It took one song for me to realise what I had been missing – but its not just his singing – his talent is far beyond that. You may have heard of the song Her World or Mine a hit recorded by Michael Ray – well, Denning had his own input on that song. As one of my favourite all time country songs I was excited to hear his version of it which he performed during the writers round; it was beautifully performed with his vocals and guitar being the only two sounds we could hear. Furthermore he even joked around about how he was “the happy one in that song” showing the audience that he liked to joke around a little.
One song by Travis that has always stuck out for me is David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs – Its just that type of song you have to tap your feet and sing along too. The song may be about a fake ID but for Denning there is more to it – something we could all relate too. The desire to reach a new age or time in life so as you can take part in something that at the time seems more exciting such as driving or drinking. For me, the song took on a different meaning after hearing his story behind the song as it is a topic I can relate too more than having a fake ID.
He also performed another track about drinking which I believe was titled I know where its going. A track about enjoying a drink and a good time – even if you don’t always know where its come from. Personally I feel, this song as well as David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs outlines the kind of guy that Travis is – the kind who likes to have a good time. I also believe he likes to be the one who provides others with that good time through his songs. He really is fun to watch, be sure to check him out through his social media links above – you will not regret it!
Out of the four artists Walker Hayes was the one I was least familiar with which is the only reason he scored a little lower than the others. I find music easier to enjoy if I know it – but I have since downloaded all of his available records, plus when he returns I will be at his show for sure!
One thing that became apparent quite quickly is the love Walker has for his family and the motivation they gave him to keep chasing his dream. This is showcased in a song called Lela’s Stars which is about a time Walker was struggling to figure out what to do – to give up or keep chasing his dream. Thanks to his daughter he continued to pursue his career and wrote this beautiful track – it was so incredible I had goosebumps. He also performed his most recent single, Don’t Let Her, a song he wrote about what he would want for his wife if something was to happen to him. Its the type of track we could all relate too if we have or have had a special somebody in our lives. It also has funny lyrics to it which seemed to make the crowd laugh while at the RNCM in Manchester.
Your Girlfriend Does also shown the audience the comical side to Walker which was wrote about a real life experience he had with a “hater” on social media. I personally think that lyrically this song is perfect – it discusses something that people may have dealt with but also lets them know they’re not alone. On the other hand, it also provides us with the best way to deal with it – to ignore it and write a track about how we wont let it get us down! As I said I wasn’t really familiar with Walker Hayes or his music prior to this event but I’m so happy that this writers round gave me the opportunity to learn more about a fantastic artist. If like me you’re not familiar with him check him out on the links above, download his music and get to a show near you as soon as your able too!
Danielle Bredbery is no stranger to the spotlight as her career began when she was crowned the winner of season four of the Voice. What is even more incredible is that at the time of that win she was the youngest ever winner of the show. As an artist she has a diverse selection of songs which all have a story of their own yet are all in someway connected to Danielle on a personal level. Many have said she is like a young Carrie Underwood but I personally believe that her music has a very unique sound of its own. On the other hand, she is likely not disappointed with being compared to one of her inspirations in the music industry and I do see some similarities between the stars. The main similarity is how the two of them became artist through talent competitions – but as mentioned I believe Bredbery has implemented her own style to her music.
Her song Worth It serves as a reminder to everybody that regardless of the issues we face or flaws we believe we have, we are worth it. The performance was very heartfelt and passionate which shows that as an artist Danielle has a personal connection to the story of the song. The connection was confirmed when she mentioned the story behind the song prior to performing it. Personally, this track has been important to me since it was released as it reminds to know my worth while also surrounding myself with people who know it too. Its a phenomenal track both live and recorded.
We all have those people in our life we thought would be our forever, those people who we gave our all but soon realised they wasn’t our meant to be. Moreover, in our life we will meet (or maybe you have already met) the one person who teaches us what real love is meant to be like which is what this new unreleased track by Danielle is about. Never Have I Ever touches on the feelings we have when we finally find somebody who will love us in the way we have longed to be loved our whole life. I can’t wait for this song to be available to stream! It is a really catchy tune too which will have you singing along in no time – especially if you can personally connect to it.
When you hear Danielle sing Sway you will realise exactly what you need to do. She puts you at ease quite quickly with her vocals making you feel relaxed and easing you into swaying along. Its a simple track really which reminds us sometimes all we really need to do is sway. Overall, my favourite thing about Danielle is how she writes tracks which compliment her vocals yet also tell the story of places she has been in her life helping us as an audience to realise we are not alone. If you would like to find out more about Danielle including when she is next in your area then please check her out on the links above.
Image credit: Travel and Tunes
What connection do you have to a song you like?! Let me know below. ❤
Each person in this world has a story to tell; a series of events and choices which led them to the very place they are in today. The beautiful yet chaotic thing about life however is that in just a blink of an eye your life can change. Your path is never set in stone, you always have the choice to change your direction – to begin a new journey that will lead you to the destination you are searching for.
There are many ways in which individual people or groups can choose to share their story; luckily in life we meet people who have been on a similar journey – people who want to share their story the same we want to share ours. I’ve likely mentioned before that the use of music to share an individuals story is something which I find incredible; musicians have this power to make us as listeners know that we are not alone in our journey. Elliot Joseph was fortunate enough to find four other people who had been on similar journeys in life. These four individuals; Rio Hanan, George Pickering, Max Tatton as well as Matthew Brook, shared his talent along with his passion for story telling through the use of music. Its obvious in the way that Elliot speaks of his fellow musicians that he understands the connection they share as individuals.
“I know it is our story, our heritage, and our life lessons that underline these melodies” – Elliot Joseph
Image credit: Elliot Jospeh
Some of you may remember a blog post I posted in July featuring Elliot when the single from this EP “While We’re Young” was released. For those who haven’t seen that here’s a little information on Elliot!
He was born in the south of England and in 2018 he released an EP called “Wild Atlantic Heart” which focused on three of his main inspirations both in life as well as in his music; love, life and travel. His most recent record “Band of Outsiders” which was released in August also touches on those three topics.
“This record encompasses everything from love, family, and brotherhood. Inspiration and adventure. The limits we strive to push every day, and the hope that guides us all towards a life that thrills us, and takes us to places we would never expect to go” – Elliot Joseph
Before you read on here’s what you should do! Head over to the social pages I shared above so you can stay up to date with any news on his career such as new music or upcoming shows – you’ll be happy to know he does have a few coming up! As to be expected as its my typical practice, I’ve separated this review into two elements; overview and details; however each track will have an individual overall rating followed by my thoughts in the detail section.
Review overview.
Lions: 10/10
Gimme Some Soul: 10/10
While We’re Young: 10/10
Afterglow: 11/10
Brothers: 11/10
Dancing We Will Go: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Review details.
From the start when this record was just an idea to the end product you can tell that Elliot and the band knew what they were aiming for – in my opinion they far exceeded even what they expected. On the other hand – its obvious everybody involved on this project worked hard so its no surprise that it turned out as perfectly as it did. The feeling I get from this record is that it tells a story of the factors or people that inspired, challenged and pushed Elliot (along with his band members) to seek new opportunities or adventures. Carry on reading to get my thoughts on each of the tracks!
The first track on the “Band of Outsiders” EP is titled “Lions” captures your attention with the use of drums and tambourine immediately. Mix in the rest of the instruments as well as Elliot’s incredible voice and the song takes you on a journey. This track is has one clear message which is that we have one song; one journey; one life. What’s especially amazing about this track is that the lyrical content can be applied to most situations in any individuals life; not just Elliot’s life, therefore it could provide the motivation, inspiration and push one needs to achieve their own dreams in life. Moreover, that is exactly what Elliot is singing about, he is singing about the different things which have encouraged him to keep going on this adventure. The track throughout is universal, upbeat and unique; everybody needs motivation, everybody needs inspiration; not only that but everybody has the right to be themselves. Its a wonderful track and a great way to start of the EP.
Favourite lyrics:
“We only get one song so let’s all sing to the rhythm of the heart”
SIDE NOTE: It gives you a taste of what’s to come on the record including some of Elliot’s Celtic roots, his vocal skills and much more!
If you’re looking for a song that regardless of your mood can gets you on your feet dancing and singing along then look no further. The second track “Gimme Some Soul” is exactly the song you need to download right now! There is no hidden surprises with this track (I would say apart from how amazing it is but we knew that it would be anyway); its asking for some soul but then its giving us the soul right back. From the music to the lyrics to how Elliot sings it this song could easily become a favourite at live shows. To add to that, its one of those songs that could go anywhere on the setlist; its a way to get the party started, to keep the crowd dancing and its even a great way to leave the crowd wanting more.
Favourite lyrics
“Gimme some soul tonight and one more drink”
SIDE NOTE: I love how “Gimme Some Soul” showcases the wide vocal range that Elliot has; its absolutely incredible. Its also super catchy and will get stuck in your head!
The third song on the EP, ‘While We’re Young’ is a track you may remember from my last review; it was released a couple of months ago as the single of this wonderful EP. CLICK HERE FOR MY THOUGHTS ON THIS TRACK.
Favourite Lyrics
“Wherever we go we go with nothing to lose, in the back of my mind I know I owe it all to you”
SIDE NOTE: You will see at the end of that review that I mention the most exciting thing about the track is that it was the start of a journey; the introduction to this amazing EP. I also originally remember thinking that Elliot could not possibly follow that, but every song on this EP is uniquely amazing in its own way.
Its no surprise that one of my personal favourites off the EP is the fourth track “Afterglow” as I’m a huge country music fan. I could keep this short by simply saying that this song is an example of how sometimes less is more. However, I feel I need to explain how. As a listener I feel this song is very simple yet still very powerful, it takes you on a journey of peace, acceptance and new beginnings. Its important to note that although its completely different to the others on the record Elliot still performs it with such passion which implies he has a personal connection to the story this song tells.
Favourite Lyrics
“All the pieces of the puzzle started to adjust and fit”
SIDE NOTE: The whole EP is wonderful however this song, in my opinion, is a contender for the best on the record.
The fifth track on the record “Brothers” is the track I personally relate to the most. To me this song represents those people who have provided us with love, guidance and support through many different things in our life. These same people are the ones who have in one way or another shaped us into the people we are today. Some of Elliot’s “Brothers” are his band members; they share not only this musical journey together but the ideas, talent as well as passion to share their stories. In a world that will constantly challenge us we need all our “brothers” to keep us focused on our dreams, life and goals. The lyrics to this track hit me hard for personal reasons but that only shows the talent that Elliot has. IT also shows how songs can take on a whole new meaning to every listener. Great work Elliot!
Favourite Lyrics
“But remember when we were still young and life was just a straight line, now were grown up if you need a helping hand just take mine…”
SIDE NOTE: The song may be a fast paced happy song however it also took me on an emotional journey through my memories due to personal reasons. I may write a full blog post on this track discussing the beautiful yet emotional journey it took me on. The connection I felt to this song just goes to show that music is a powerful tool for both musicians and listeners to understand each other.
“Dancing We Will Go” is the sixth and final track on this wonderful EP – what a way to end an EP; leaving us listeners wanting more! Once again, this track is very catchy and if you don’t find yourself on your feet dancing I’ll be surprised! Some of Elliot’s roots are definitely present in this track, the instrumentation gives a very Celtic feel. This song is full of fun and is definitely one to get any party going!
Favourite Lyrics
“Just kick of your shoes, let your hair down and dancing we will go”
SIDE NOTE: Its a very uplifting and positive track that has already made my playlist for my journey to work!
To put it simply the record “Band of Outsiders” is perfect from the stories that Elliot shares, the way in which the band perform them all the way to how it was produced. I honestly feel that each song tells part of Elliot’s journey in life and how he became the musician, writer and performer he is today. To add to that, I personally don’t have any recommendations as to how this EP could have been better – the only criticism I have is that I could have done with another 6 more songs!
Furthermore, although I have two personal favourites; Afterglow and Brothers; the rest of them have also found their way onto my playlists for one thing or another. You will be missing out if you don’t download this EP on spotify now.
Great work to Elliot and all his band (or should we say “brothers”). I can’t wait to see what you have for us in the future!
What are your thoughts on this EP, do you have a favourite track; let me know below!?
From the moment that we take our first breath we begin our very own journey; an adventure we all know as life. It’s not always beautiful, it’s not always perfect and it’s not always easy – but that’s the beauty of this voyage. The people we meet, the places we go as well as the choices we make lead us to the road which is ours to take. Through life we will experience things we love like passions, things that challenge us such as obstacles plus things that limit us such as the time we have. However ultimately we all have one goal in life and that is to live a life we are proud to look back on.
Image Credit: Elliot Joseph
Experiences we love can lead to the development of new passions, hobbies as well as interests in our journey called life. Some people will share your passions while others will not – however your loved ones will always encourage you to live your best life and do what you enjoy. Not only that, but those same people will be there with you throughout it all ready to look back on the life you led as you get further along your journey. Elliot Joseph’s new single “While We’re Young” is a track about his goals in life; the desire to take every chance presented to him while making the most of life in general too, but most importantly to share it with the people he meets along the way.
The journey of Elliot Joseph began in the south of England, as a musician he loves to share the story in his work. In 2018 he released an EP called “Wild Atlantic Heart” which focused on three of his main passions which are travel, life and love; it also touches on his Celtic inspiration. Along with his five piece band Elliot is known for taking the audience on their very own journey with his captivating performances.
Image credit: Elliot Joseph
Today, 19th July 2019, sees the release of “While We’re Young” but the journey for Joseph will continue when the record drops later this year. Follow Elliot on social media to keep up to date with that information, links we’re provided earlier in this post.
While you’re listening to it (on repeat as I do) and searching for it on your favourite streaming platform (also, don’t forget to share it with your friends!) you can read my thoughts below!
As always the review has been separated into two sections; an overview and the detail section which will provide more insight to my personal views of the track.
Review overview.
Audio: 10/10.
Lyrically: 10/10.
Overall Rating: 10/10.
Review details.
Creating your own image in this modern day society is difficult as we are struck with expectations from everybody all around us. However, what is important to remember is that those who matter don’t care and those that care don’t matter. The other fact of life is that those who love you will encourage you to chase your dreams and be standing right beside you when you need somebody to lean on. Those very people are the ones who you will see in your memories regularly in years to come when you look back on your journey, they are the ones who have helped to shape the person you have become and the the ones who will play a role in the person you become. To me “While We’re Young” is a song not just about those people but focusing on the life we have right now and making the most of it by chasing the dream as well as taking as many chances as are presented to us. The message found in the lyrics is really as simple as focusing on the positive in life instead of dwelling at the paths which end and you will be proud to look back on your journey through life when that time comes.
There has clearly been a lot of thought put into the track which shows signs of not only a great band but also wonderful producer and studio. From lyrics, to the instrumental plus the vocals – it’s beautifully written and recorded.
I would like to take this moment though to focus on the vocal aspect of the track, Elliots voice is honestly incredible. It’s clear that he is singing about a topic which he feels so strongly about as you can hear the sincerity in his vocals throughout the whole song. Match that with the instruments of the band that back him and you have the perfect collaboration, mix and sound. The music along with Josephs voice compliment each other so well its as though they all feel the same; which is a beautiful thing to hear.
Truthfully this song has to be one of the most uplifting, inspiring as well as motivating tracks I have heard in a long time. Another fact about this song is that it makes me proud to be English, to know we have artists who are focused on sharing such positive and uplifting messages just fills me with pride.
Do you want to know what’s most exciting? This is the just the start of a new journey for Elliot as well as his band with the rest of the record set to drop later this year.
Tell me below what you thought about this incredible single?
The opener of the show was Emily Faye, a UK based country singer-songwriter. When your inspiration creates a platform for you to share your story that’s when you know you have found your strength. Emily Faye is one of those artists who’s story began with a simple passion and desire yet now has blossomed into this wonderful career.
She began her set with a song called Open Road. To put it simply, I was hooked. It’s one of those songs which takes the listener on a journey through Emily’s life allowing them to build a connection with her as a person. Its the right mixture of British and American country sound. This was the one song during her set which caught my attention the most however her whole set was incredible. I would definitely see her again and can imagine soon enough that she will be invited to play at popular events such as Country to Country or buckle and boots.
Be sure to check her out on her social media accounts.
Next up was Laura Oakes, she seemed to be the topic of conversation prior to the event started with people excited to see her once again. This was my first time seeing her live, although she did play at Country to Country earlier this year in London. I was excited to see what she could bring to the stage.
What became obvious is that this northern UK country star likes to make her own rules. Liverpool born Laura is the total opposite of the typical sounds you would expect to come out of the city and has used this to her advantage. A few minutes into her set I realised what all the excitement was about; as well as realised why she is a British country music award winner. There were so many wonderful songs during her including welcome to the family, better in blue jeans and how big is your world. The future is bright for Laura’s career and in my opinion she is the one to watch for this year and next. This year alone she has played or will play some of the most popular country music related festivals in the UK which goes to show just how popular she is.
For your chance to learn more about Laura check out her social media accounts.
The headlining act, Holloway Road, consists of vocalist and multi-instrumentalists Jack Cooper & Robert Gulston, two friends who have played together since before Holloway Road was formed. There was a clear chemistry between the two of them as a duo that made the songs sound all that more special.
If She Falls, Get The Girl, Lightening and We Said So were some of the songs which stood out most to me during their set. However, the most beautiful moment that I experienced at this small intimate gig was the moment they welcome Laura back to the stage. The duo along with Laura performed and incredible new track that they had wrote together recently, even admitting they may forget it. They didn’t however and the song was absolutely breathtaking; It was called Is She Brick Or Water.
The crowds response to the duo was warm, positive and clear – they have their fan base, they have their talent and they are more than ready to leave their own unique quirks on the industry. They have worked hard to get to the point they are at now in their career which is incredible to see; they’ve shared the stage with a number of huge artists as well as being invited to play festivals across the UK such as Country to Country.
If you are looking for a new sound; artists who will stop at nothing to achieve their dreams and people who exceed all expectations – then follow Holloway Road and get yourself to one of their upcoming shows.
The venue was perfect for the intimate kind of shows; the only negative comment I have about the venue is that it was a little dark. Overall though I would visit this venue again for a show. I would also see Holloway Road again given the opportunity.
To get the party started was the wonderful Bailey Bryan. This young, soulful and talented singer songwriter however showcased her musical ability in just the couple of songs I heard. The brief experience I had with Bailey left me curious as well as pushed me to find out more (I have since downloaded all her music on apple music!) However the small section of her set I heard I can say this; her name is one that we will be seeing a lot of in the years to come as her career grows from strength to strength.
I’m glad that LANCO gave me the opportunity to learn about this young rising star. One of the songs I did hear was Perspective, Bailey’s most recent single from her upcoming EP – it was this track that captured my attention the most. Bailey captured the raw emotion perfectly creating a song which enabled me, along with many others in the crowd I’m sure, to build understand and relate to her story. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for Bailey.
I would definitely buy tickets to see her again.
Image credit: Travel and Tunes
Five piece country band LANCO was then welcomed to the stage by the eager crowds for their first headlining show in Manchester. LANCO, short for Lancaster and Company, formed in 2013. The band consists of front man Brandon Lancaster, guitarist Eric Steedly, drummer Tripp Howell. bassist Chandler Baldwin and Jared Hampton who plays a number of instruments.
HallelujahNights was the song that kicked off the set which lasted around 70-80 minutes. Honestly, I lost track of time as I was enjoying the high energy performance from start to end. The next track they performed was Long Live Tonight, which was the first single released from LANCO’sdebut album. The album, Hallelujah Nights, was released in January 2018 consisting of 11 songs all of which told a story of love, life and celebration. In my opinion, this was one of the best albums released during 2018. Every single song that was on that album captured your attention with the beautiful melodies and powerful performances. Having the opportunity to have seen LANCO performing their songs live made it all that more beautiful as well as even more powerful. Other tracks they performed on the night included We Do, So Long, Singin‘ At The Stars along with the other catchy tunes from their album. Rival, the new single from the bands upcoming album was another track they played during the set. It’s a song about achieving your goals in life through determination; it’s a great track.
Image credit: Travel and Tunes
What I loved about LANCO more is how they engaged with the crowd – even becoming part of the crowd themselves when they performed the covers. I did question how they would do a whole set with only one album; but they answered that with this section of the show. They covered a Manchester favourite by Killers – Mr Brightside before dividing the crowd to create this feeling of summer nights singing along with friends. The covers also took me back to the months I lived in Nashville; especially Drink In My Hand and Springsteen by Eric Church. Another one of the highlights for me; which was clearly enjoyed by the crowd who sang and danced as the band performed was the cover of Free Fallin‘ by Tom Petty.
Choosing to end the show with two fan favourites was probably a clever ploy to leave the fans wanting more. They were also the released as singles from the debut album, plus they was the tracks which drew me to LANCO at Country to Country. Born To Love You was the song they played before leaving the stage, eventually returning to perform my favourite LANCO song as an encore, Greatest Love Story.
Image credit: Travel and Tunes
My expectations after the set at Country to Country 2018 were high; as mentioned before I did question how they would fill a full set. They far exceeded any expectations I had of them; as well as shown me what the future has to hold. LANCO will be back in the UK soon playing bigger and better shows in venues which hold larger crowds! This show is up there in my all time favourites of bands/artists I’ve seen live; LANCO were simply incredible.
If you haven’t seen them yet make sure that you do at the next opportunity that is presented to you. You will not regret it.
Rating; 10/10.
Tell me below what your all number one experience at a concert; who was it and what made it special?
Kelly xox
Setlist.
Hallelujah Nights.
Long Live Tonight.
We Do.
Win You Over.
So Long.
Pick You Up.
Singing At The Stars.
Rival.
Mr. Brightside.
Covers in the crowd: Drink In My Hand; Free Fallin' & Springsteen.
Travel and Tunes 