LIVE REVIEW: BROOKE LAW - SORREL NATION - THE WATER RATS - LONDON & THE STABLES MILTON - KEYNES

The "Naked Heart" tour continues to dazzle and delight, when #TEAMw21 saw the album launch late last year it was a show that seemed to be the culmination of all Brooke Law's effort to date, a show that simply could not be bettered, yet only a few short months later, it was not only matched but surpassed and not only once but twice! Both nights would prove just how good an album "Naked Heart" is, with no sign of a filler anywhere, the respective live bands on each night really made the songs fizz with energy and of course the icing on the cake, the performances of Brooke herself.

Attending the show at the Stables was an impromptu decision, intended to be pleasure not business, yet as the soundcheck was being performed it seemed like we might be in for a night with Motorhead such was the noise pulsating through the doors. It was Valentine's Day and on entrance, each audience member was given a packet of Love Hearts to chew on to celebrate the occasion. The band would take to the stage and fire up with Brooke entering at the rear, taking to the stage after having walked through the middle of the sold out audience - it was a small thing but it added a little frisson and showbiz into an already expectant crowd, packed with people seeing Brooke for the first time, attracted by recent coverage and word of mouth

The sound that had seemed so rawkus thirty minutes earlier would prove to be perfectly balanced come the actual show, letting all of the little artistic flourishes supplied by the last minute replacement guitarist Ali Clinton to come through. Song wise The Stables got to singalong to "What's Up" teasingly introduced as a song that Brooke had written for Four Non Blondes in a set split over 2 halves with a short break.

The show at The Stables was all finesse, however for the Water Rats, the audience was standing, the stage was wider, and there was a lighting rig above it - with the lights flashing, out came the cameras with Brooke undoubtedly providing the action, for what would be mainly be a rock 'n' roll extravaganza, the subtlety of the earlier show may have vanished but it was replaced with raw power.

The band returned to its regular line up with David Bromiley on electric guitar and Enrique Terella on bass.

The "Naked Heart Intro" instrumental opening would set the scene, with shimmering cymbals, before Brooke would take the stage to deliver the opening words.

Certain songs just seemed to just become bigger, "Real" had some rocking guitar lines picked out, as well as being driven by the powerful back beat from Luca Wade, yet within the same song, the band dropped to almost silence - either way the star of the night was Brooke leading from the front. Somehow each tune managed to find its best version on the night "Excuse Me" sounded fresher than ever, the words tumbling out over beautifully over the melody to great effect.

There was no doubt that we were in a full on extravaganza with "Flying Solo" showing the lights spinning and flashing, while the guitar work remained ever inventive - it ended with broad smiles all round. Slowing the mood, "Big World" would start with just Brooke and her guitar, her vocals hitting new heights and finding new vulnerability. The band would gradually and subtly join in building the overall atmosphere.

Another track brought additionally to life was "Spiritual", with funky bass, punchy percussion and more invention on guitar both rocking and delicate when each was required.

Taking the microphone from the stand "Start Again" was delivered with such passion it was impossible not be moved - one of the nights high spots, delicately fragile vocals packed with emotion matched to sympathetic guitar - surely this songs best ever performance, truly bringing it to life.

The nights special surprise was revealed to be an electric guitar, it helped reinvent "Villain", the verses funky rhythms matched to the chorus with its tower of sound.

"If You Go" absolutely exploded with the snappy chorus backed with additional vocals and power guitar riffs. Another of the highlights of the evening would come with "Bad Tattoo" which was like a horse waiting to run wild, as the band would provide an ever building sound before finally being set loose on the rocking chorus to awesome effect in another definitive live version.

The only cover of the evening would come via Miley Cyrus's "Midnight Sky".

The main set would close out with the final two songs remaining from "Naked Heart", "Cowboy Hat" and the crowd singalong of "Freak On" with Brooke again taking the microphone to the very front of the stage, the crowd singing from the beginning to end, with the "We Will Rock You" drum beat giving it the real heavyweight back beat. With the band going a little Beatlesque during the introductions it was the only way to close out the main set.

The encores would commence with a final song transformed in the full band version, to a fearsome non stop rocker. One final bit of audience participation would come with "Boomerang" with the crowd roaring in their contribution on the chorus.

It is hard not overstate just how perfect a performance this was. As Brooke left the stage after having given everything, to meet her fans at the merchandise desk there was no doubt she looked every inch the star she undoubtedly is.

The evening had commenced with a fine if perhaps slightly underappreciated set from Sorrel Nation. Playing in a reduced format with just Theo on cello for support. Her proper evening in London will come later in the year at reimagined The Half Moon

Opening to the upbeat sway of "Old Man", this was to be a gentle introduction to the world of Sorrel. A new song "Chaostown" - "Take me home to the fields of green" was a far rockier tune

The introduction to "Wild Solitude" with its tale of being written "in Snowdonia, at a sunset next to a waterfall" gave just a hint of the ethereal quality in Sorrel's work. Accompanied by the most subtle of cello playing, this song managed to hush the crowd into silence as Sorrel hit some exquisitely high notes. Anther new song "Run Johnny Run" was revealed as a slow countryish ballad with Theo also providing additional backing vocals.

"The Way The Wind Blows" came with the most delicate of melodies and took you to another place as you listened.

Sorrel showed herself in the sweetest of lights in her introduction to "Dead Man's Road" - amazed at seeing the Tower Of London en route to the venue like a true country person coming to the big city only occasionally. It was a chance to create some noise and atmospherics. The set would close with Sorrel's version of Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes", each time we hear it #TEAMw21 are left stunned, such is the quality and purity of the delivery, Sorrel does not just sing it, she inhabits it, capturing the essence of the original yet adding to it with her own free spirit, it fits her like a diamond encrusted glove and simply shone.

Additional Milton Keynes photography courtesy of John Gillespie

Sorrel Nation will return to London with Belle Roscoe at the Half Moon Putney on 7th May

Sorrel & Brooke will play together once more on the Isle Of Wight in Newport on 18th April.