Joanne Shaw Taylor – The Stables, Milton Keynes – 19th October 2015

Tonight’s show was completely sold out, and if you’ve seen Joanne Shaw Taylor perform then you’ll know why.  Unlike most shows I attend in London where it gets a lot busier in time for the headline act, audiences at the Stables are very good at turning up early to watch the support act as well as the headline act.

The support on this tour comes from Federal Charm, a Manchester based rock band.  I must admit that it took me a couple of songs before I really warmed to them, but by the end of their set I was very impressed – the Bluesy material was particularly good and definitely went down well with tonight’s audience, and by the end of their set they had definitely made plenty of new fans with many heading to the merchandise stand to buy copies of their album.  If you’re going to one of the remaining dates on the tour, make sure you get down there early and give Federal Charm a listen.

Joanne Shaw Taylor got things off to a great start with “Mud, honey” but between songs she soon found another unusual bit about audiences at The Stables – their tendency to be silent between songs once the applause dies down, leading Joanne to ask if people were still there as its a bit unnerving being on stage and hearing nothing.  The first part of the set was a great electric performance as she played songs from her latest album as well as from previous releases, but she then slowed things down as she played two songs on acoustic guitar, the first one solo and then backed by her band for the second one.

Talking to the audience between songs she talked about some of the songs such as one that followed the end of a relationship, joking that it’s the risk you take if you date a professional songwriter and are a shitty boyfriend.  She comes across as quiet and modest, joking about referring to this tour as the Greatest hits tour.

The best moments of the night in my view came when Joanne let rip with her guitar solos and showed what a superbly talented player she is.  The set ended with “Going home” (a pretty apt choice), and after a short break Joanne and her band came back on stage for the encore, the title track of her latest album – The Dirty Truth.  A great end to a great night.

Joanne Shaw Taylor is a superb blues guitarist, as well as being an excellent songwriter and a great singer, so if you want a night of great Blues music then you should get to one of the remaining dates on her UK tour.

Remaining tour dates:

HERTFORD, CORN EXCHANGE
Thursday 22nd October
2015
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 07904 333923
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
39 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1AL
www.hertfordcornexchange.co.uk

NEWBURY, ARLINGTON ARTS
Friday 23rd October
2015
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 01635 244246
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
Mary Hare School, Newbury, West Berkshire RG14 3BQ
www.arlingtonarts.co.
uk

SOUTHAMPTON, TALKING HEADS
Saturday 24th October
2015
Tickets: £20 / Box Office: 02380 678 446
Book Online: TalkngHeads.co.uk
320 Portswood Road, Portswood, SO17 2TD
www.TalkingHeads.co.uk

SOLD OUT LONDON, JAZZ CAFÉ SOLD OUT
Monday 26th October
2015
Tickets £20 / Box Office: 0844 847 2514
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7PG
www.TheJazzCafeLondon.com

LONDON, JAZZ CAFÉ
Tuesday 27th October
2015
Tickets £20 / Box Office: 0844 847 2514
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7PG
www.TheJazzCafeLondon.com

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About Ant May

I spend half my life at gigs or festivals and the other half writing the reviews and editing photos, and somehow find time for a full time job too. Who needs sleep - I've got coffee.