LIVE REVIEW: COUNTRY CALLING FESTIVAL - MADDIE JANE WARREN - ESSEX HITS VIP STAGE

It is fair to say that if there's one thing that did not quite go as smoothly to plan as it could have at Country Calling, it was the Essex Hits VIP Stage. It was 95% there, but having the final few moments of each act on the VIP stage clash with the opening few minutes of an act on the Main stage just didn't quite sit well, whereas the idea of having a nice palette cleanser between main acts otherwise worked well and shone the light on some top quality acts.

None more so than Maddie Jane Warren, who having produced one of the most compelling EP's of 2025,in "The Difference" and having set off from Devon at 3:30 to ensure arriving on time, was never going to leave Essex without #TEAMw21 settling down to see her play live.

She has arrived into the world of #TEAMw21 like something of a whirlwind, a chance note sent after seeing a Buckle & Boots article, allowed us to unearth this previously hidden gem! Today would see her perform in slightly reduced circumstances with just a cajon player for support rather than her full band however she would more than repay out faith in identifying her as being one to watch.

She would open with "Damned Good Song" based on a Buddy Holly rock and roll riff as old as time itself, now adorned with a pithy line in put downs as Maddie Jane set the record straight

"You're trying to make small talk,

You don't look at me once

Pretending like you never said

That you're in love"

The pay off being that at least she got a song out of it.

The cajon provided just the right accompaniment for a warm afternoon and Maddie had a way of really emphasising the D of "Damned" with some vitriol

Dipping into "The Difference" EP, for it's opening single "Shame", Maddie retells the events from her one and only Tinder date. Gradually building in volume this was highly endearing as Maddie bemoaned the lack of a spark with her erstwhile date. Her vocals especially as she wrapped them around the later choruses were impeccable.

By now although the day was exceedingly warm to say the least, there remained a light breeze which would blow the ruffles of Maddie's dress and just occasionally catch her hair, on the stage which thankfully offered protection from the sun's rays

A Kacey Musgrave's cover of "Love Is A Wild Thing" was well received, however it was her original material that we most interested in. The back story to "Love Is Easy" was interesting, with a misplaced sock triggering instant doubts about her new partner at the time!

For this song it was just Maddie Jane alone, who would play a prominent fast picked guitar line. There was something touching and reassuring about the way she delivered the final line of the chorus

"I wouldn't have it any other way"

It was back to "The Difference", for a "Pity Party" the most uptempo song of the new EP, about a girl Maddie's Mum warned her about! The cajon would return to support Maddie's strong strum, and would make a good fist at generating the volume required of the chorus.

A gently hummed intro to "Here Tonight", would lead to the most country sounding of songs, whose charged verses raised the temperature just a bit further!

"Put your hands round my waist

They fit there perfect anyway

Nothing matters tonight

I got no plans on going home

So hold me tight and kiss me slow"

One final song "Sell By Date" would close out Maddie Jane's time with us, and this is where the frustration mentioned earlier kicked in, as Maddie Jane would have to take on the might of Morganway. In fairness she gave it a go and provided a rocking sassy finale, putting an ageing Lothario in his place.

"If you were twenty years younger - you wouldn't have a shot!"

and making a play on the words waste / waist in different contexts.

It may have been a long round trip for Maddie Jane Warren, but it was definitely worth it, for this chance to see her perform live. Along with her forthcoming trip to Blackpool, it should deservedly shine the light on one of our favourite finds of the year and her rather marvellous EP and back catalogue, which are both well worth investigating.