LIVE REVIEW: BUCKLE & BOOTS 2025 - THE PADDOCK STAGE - LAURA BECKWITH

If pushed to name the most pop country act #TEAMW21 saw across the weekend then undoubtedly the award would go to Laura Beckwith, whose set sparkled as bright as her pink boots. Hailing from Surrey, and playing the day before her birthday, this was the first chance #TEAMw21 have had to see her play live since reviewing her excellent single "Not Used To This", and she did not disappoint.

Her bright blonde hair would stand out, as much as the aforementioned boots, as she fronted an unusual but effective lineup of a drummer and a guitarist come keyboard player depending on what instrument the song required.

She would start with "All It Is", initially as an acoustic strum with Laura singing. Freed from the electronica sound of the recorded version it immediately sounded more vibrant. The band would kick in after the first verse, and Laura would have the perfect voice for the occasion.

For the next song and latest single "Unlearn" the guitarist would move to piano and it would see Laura cling to the microphone for the opening verse. There was a definite vulnerability to her singing that you felt for her as she sang about being told that she was

"Too much to manage" and the realisation that

"I guess my love wasn't good enough".

For "Sick Of The Movies" she would again initially take to holding the mic, on what would turn into a classic little pop song gently swaying as she played. The single that had first grabbed us "Not Used To This", would see Laura ditch her guitar and perform as just her and a piano. Laura would wonderfully recreate the recorded version and then some, not flustered in the least by a slight piano malfunction.

A cover would then come in the shape of Red Clay Strays, "Wondering Why", which would see Laura move to a more soulful mood, at times she would seem to get wonderfully lost in the moment as she closed her eyes and sung - it was joyful to watch.

Donning her guitar once more, it was time for an old song, "Hurt Me Too", this was another perfect piece of pop country, which showed the band to its full potential with some nice guitar lines running through it and some neat percussion. Working as a band from the start, "Hit & Run", had a touch of Sleeper about it in terms of delivery, and took Laura off in another direction that she once more excelled in. It was another song that came to life in a live environment, with punchy percussion and some knowing phrasing from Laura.

"Everlasting" came with a prominent electric guitar line, inventive percussion and snappy delivery from Laura that made it stand out as another perfect pop tune. A final song "Growing Pains" would get the audience to engage in a little singalong on the chorus, bringing a party atmosphere to the end of the set. Pretty much perfect from start to finish, displaying a great level of stage craft, Laura Beckwith was undoubtedly one of the best performances from the weekend.