LIVE REVIEW: COUNTRY ON THE COMMON - MAIN STAGE - KEZIA GILL

Country On The Common would prove to be an interesting test for Kezia Gill, this was by no means a home gig, there were a few smatterings of Kezia T-Shirts on show, but this seemed to predominantly be a more family orientated and line dancing crowd. It's the sort of audience that she has to win over to break the glass ceiling for UK country.

With shows this year kept relatively low key this was a chance to make some noise, it was like setting loose a caged tiger, and there was certainly a feline ferocity attached to the opening few numbers. With her band universally dressed in black, setting the scene, Kezia would then join, as they launched into "Dublin's Out Of Whiskey", one of the new songs set to be laid on fans with her next release. The lines were delivered with relish and the sheer enjoyment was immediately there to be seen.

The sun was shining and the party atmosphere was in force straight away. As Kezia dealt with the opening formalities the band were already firing up "Misfit". Once again the lines were delivered at pace and at volume with a smile.

Donning her guitar, it was time for "Whiskey Over Ice", the chorus, larger than life, anthemic, seemingly delivered on pure adrenaline.

The pace would eventually have to drop and Kezia would utilise the other tools of her trade, building a rapport with the audience and humour during the introduction to "Thirties". Another new song "I Have No Idea" shows just how far and how quickly Kezia's songwriting is developing. Written in a sort of Brandy Clark style, the clever verses lead into an old fashioned knees up, that is set to immediately win over anyone that hears it.

"Country Song" came with a trademark Luke Thomas guitar solo, and would see large numbers of the crowd singing along and waving. As Kezia launched into "Tonight" the difference between trying to imitate Nashville as opposed to taking it on under your own terms indicates quite why Kezia stands out from the pack. Making sure to name check everyone from the VIP's to those on the big wheel, no-one was immune from the Kezia charm offensive

Kezia's last single "This Perfect Night" now seemed reborn like a piece of pure 80's power pop. If ever in need of a crowd singalong there seems no better fallback than 4 Non Blondes "What's Up?" and so it would prove with Tooting truly finding volume in its voice.

There would prove to be a return to the Kezia set list for "Dead Ends And Detours" initially just on acoustic guitar, the band as they gradually appeared, ramped up the sound gradually, before fully coming into force on the chorus. As Kezia was taking off her guitar, Luke Thomas then laid down the grungy swampy heavy guitar intro into "Smokey". With additional power percussion this was another direction entirely.

"Sweet Spot" would see Kezia don her guitar once more and throw in some Sabbath style posing, as if she had hot footed it from Ozzie's farewell gig with the "Metal" baton! With her theme song "Whiskey Drinking Woman" closing things out, this was just a taster of what is to come on the new record and 2026 tour. As far as tests go this was undoubtedly an A*.

Kezia Gill will be bringing this and more to Country Calling 16/17 August Hylands Estate https://tickets.country-calling.com/events/country-calling-2025/

Kezia Gill 2026 tour with Alyssa Bonagura as support - Tickets here - https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/kezia-gill