LIVE REVIEW: COUNTRY CALLING 2026 - LITTLE WRANGLERS STAGE - LOUISE PARKER

Having established that the Little Wranglers stage, was not going to be country versions of "Wheels On The Bus", it seemed only right to dip in again for another early morning session, this time with Louise Parker. With no walls, the prevailing breeze did show off Louise's outfit to full effect as she, her guitar and stomp pedal took us through another entertaining mix of tunes.

Easing us in gently with a little Shania, "That Don't Impress Me Much" delivered with just the right amount of disdainful attitude, along with a smile that said she was relishing each line.

A slow intricate intro to "Orange Ain't My Colour", would lead into faster paced section along with some audience cajoling to get the requisite amount of "Hey"s on the chorus. There is no set that cannot be enhanced by the addition of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams", - which Louise would correctly introduce as a "classic". Savouring each line both vocally and visually with her eyes, this was a treat for both performer and audience. Introducing "They Don't Ride Their Horses", as her shortest song ever, it was naturally fast paced and finished with a "Yeehah!"

As with the previous day, the freedom of the stage let the artists totally at ease, Louise would lay on us one of the songs from her next album "The Compromise Of Quitting You" which had not been played much so far. Juggling the mixed emotions of a break up where opposite feelings can co-exist. A superior ballad, it will sit nicely on the forthcoming album "Petty In Pink".

Lifting the mood and the pace, "The Lemon Tree" was suitably upbeat and there is no show that can fail to end on a high if it closes with "Country Roads" as Louise would prove, once again eliciting some early morning audience participation.

Additional Photography courtesy of DC Brown.