LIVE REVIEW: ROB JONES & THE RESTLESS DREAM - GRACE KELLY - THE GREEN NOTE - CAMDEN TOWN

It was only on getting checked in that #TEAMw21 realised that tonight's extravaganza was to be held in the Basement and that we would would not be getting the full "E-Street" Restless Dream - it would prove to be the most tiny of disappointments on the night, soon forgotten once we could hear the soundcheck and Rob Jones's vocals occasionally seeping through the doors.

On entering the Green Note Basement, the stage was set with three guitars and microphones, to the left of the lead microphone a stool was covered in a drink and an array of different harmonicas that would come into play throughout the evening. Atop the piano Rob's excellent album "Stars", which would provided the basis for much of tonight's set, stood looking out prominently

Doubling up in her role as support act as well as forming part of the Restless Dream was our favourite Kiwi, Grace Kelly. The last time we saw her was in a sweat box in King's Cross and quite a few people were visibly suffering in the heat of the Green Note Basement. Her short but highly entertaining set, reminded us why she got us so excited with her debut EP, "Table For One".

Starting with "Out Of My Head" she soon got things hotter with strident guitar playing and her strong vocals on the melodious chorus. The final chorus would see her raise the vocal bar even higher before bringing things to a more sedate close.

The "Visa stress" song "Hate", comes with quite a back story by the sound of it, which we'll be looking forward to hearing properly on Grace's second EP hopefully later this year.

A well chosen cover in Tom Petty's "Free Falling" immediately chimed with the audience who joined in unsolicited. Grace would use the middle section to try out a number of variations of singing the words Free Falling to great effect.

There was but one throwback to her debut EP with the masterful "Carry On" with the lines

"I wish I could bring you in my carry on

But my flights in an hour and I've got to get gone!"

Years down the line it still it still delivers a punch, with it fast delivered lyrics and delightful structure which is highly inventive.

The final song in an all to brief set was the soon to be single "Bad Idea". Kicking off once more with another powerful guitar intro, it immediately displayed a lot of Grace's trademark qualities, a hook laden chorus, and lots of playing with pace and volume - We'll have to wait until the 31st July to hear it properly but on this evidence it will be well worth the wait.

A far too infrequent visitor to the capital, this was a reminder that that Grace Kelly is about to be hitting the radar once more during the rest of 2026.

Grace would only be off the stage for a short time for she would return as part of the reduced Restless Dream, providing guitar, tambourine, shakers and backing vocals, along with Dan Catterall on guitar and backing vocals, in support of the main man Rob Jones who would also provide guitar and stomp pedal, as well as lead vocals.

Squeezing three band members into a tight space is never easy, it would result in Grace repeatedly headbutting the light bulb that was dangling to her right throughout the evening. Between them they would still pack a powerful punch when all three guitars and vocals were in full flow.

The only way to start an album tour is with the opening track on the album "Rising With The Sun", it may have been deprived of its familiar piano opening but this version was equally stirring, with the full ensemble on guitars and vocals and with harmonica as well.

Rob would prove to be an incredibly jovial host as he took us on a tour of his catalogue, most of all though, his vocals really brought the songs to life. Following the albums running order "Tonight" saw the soulful groove carry on. Grace and Dan would sport big smiles as they played and the good time vibe filtered through into the performance. This had a real feel of summer about it, Dan's guitar was "silky smooth" perfect as were Grace's backing vocals as Rob's gradually ramped up the volume.

"Darkest Eyes" about "unrequited love" would open to a mix of guitar and harmonica, and you could not help but marvel at the musicality on show. Dan's light touch on guitar, picking out little riffs was a delight.

Rob would mention recently converting to Roman Catholicism, in the lead up to "St Maria", once more the trio excelled, Rob out front, Grace's harmonies on the chorus and Dan's guitar work all combining perfectly.

The first deviation from the album running order would see us visit Rob's earlier "Trees" EP, for "Wherever We Go". Dan would change styles becoming more atmospheric in his playing while Rob's vocals became ever more tender and hushed, while also adding a short sweet harmonica solo.

From the same EP came, "Ballerina", which had a funky feel on the verses matched to a relentlessly upbeat chorus that was irresistible on the night. Another Dan solo and Grace on tambourine only added more depth.

The Basement was by now a "Dark subterranean sauna", but the music remained relentlessly upbeat "Caroline" was a joy, only to be bettered by the purest pop chorus of "January Man". Rob has a voice that gives each of these songs their own reality, even if the are fictional. For this one Rob even had some long extended notes to stretch his delivery.

The somewhat dark intro to "A Girl I Know" would lead into another of those ridiculously feel good tunes, although it did help put the lyrics into context. It's hard to see darkness when there is a spiritual basement singalong going on to the following phrase.

"What If love could be all you needed?"

Grace's tambourine and backing vocals only increased the feeling of being at a revivalist meeting!

"One More Night"came with a slower guitar intro, with Dan once more on atmospherics. Rob's already tender vocals became even more delicate, with Grace echoing Rob's words.

A final song "Day By Day" about hope, would close out the main set. Starting gently with just Rob's guitar, gradually Dan slowly made his presence felt and both Grace and Dan add some gentle vocals. All of a sudden the pace and the volume is raised and we are once again in a joyful singalong musical celebration.

Each night of the tour will see a location specific encore, for London it was to be The Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" that would close out the evening, with singing and clapping to a volume that may have annoyed the band playing upstairs!

It is hard to quantify just how enjoyable this evening was, the UK really needs to catch up and realise what a gem they have sitting on their own doorstep.

As the evening drew to a close and Rob was signing copious amounts of vinyl and cd's for a Basement show, we could not help but overhear the tale of another guest who had found his way to Rob Jones by way of a Spotify playlist recommendation, which had then highlighted the gig. It kind of summed up Rob's dilemma, he is quite probably the best artist you've never heard - yet once you have, he will easily reel you in with his seductive sound. There was talk of a full band London show at the end of the year where we can get the full sound of the Restless Dream with keyboards and the occasional horns - if you only try one new artist this year - let it be Rob Jones & The Restless Dream.