LIVE REVIEW: SONG SUFFRAGETTES - MAGGIE BAUGH, KIER, LOUISE CONNOR, AMY JO - LIL NASHVILLE
A slightly later Songwriters Round than usual with the Luke Combs fans having a pre show cocktail or three before heading off to Wembley. For those who opted for the musical delights being offered at Lil Nashville in the afternoon, there was also rich entertainment to be had without the requirement of a big screen to see it. With each act not really knowing the others work there was not a lot of cross pollination in terms of performance but there was clearly a level of mutual respect.
Opening each round was Maggie Baugh, and she went straight with for the jugular with last years single "Oklahoma On Saturdays", recalling her Grandfather who had passed. With her guitar high in the mix and played almost totally with her eyes closed, displaying some nimble fingerwork, joined by her heartfelt vocals. This was very much a statement of intent and each artist would raise the game accordingly. Our first sighting of Louise Connor, was very promising, and she also had a song about a passed Grandparent. Her song "Treasure" dealt with clearing out her house, knowing that she had kept literally everything over the years, and finding "Treasures" in the little things that were found. Rich in detail, it would certainly chime with anyone who has ever had to perform this duty.
Kier, as she noted ( now the only one that matters) would lay a sad song on us, one that will feature on her upcoming album. This was one of the reasons that #TEAMw21 are so excited about this forthcoming album. With vocals soaring and extended notes aplenty, "Hang Up The Phone" was packed with drama and already gave a sense as to how epic it might be in its recorded format. Closing the round in bright purple was Amy Jo, who seems to have arrived from nowhere on to our radar in recent months, despite having been beavering away for some years. This was also a first chance to see her live, and she also did not disappoint. Her opening song, "Shoulder Pads ( Are Making A Comeback)", about opposites attracting, featured on her first EP, with a snazzy production so it was reassuring that Amy Jo could strip things back to the core of the song and impress with her playing and keep the same level of intensity. It closed out a high quality opening round.
Maggie Baugh currently recording her album, opened the second round with a love song "Fake Flowers". A protestation that her love will only end when fake flowers die, this seemed to be a song that we will surely be hearing a lot on the release of the album.
Louise's second effort "Settle Down Cowboy" was a neat twist on the expectations of a cowboy being wild and roaming, instead wanting to settle down, while his partner is the opposite! It made us immediately go and dig out Louise's EP once we got home where it comes in a sparkling version, just on hearing Louise confidently asserting "I Ain't Going To Settle Down". Kier's next song "Twenty Something" is a classic, well observed creation with laugh out loud lines, that will be her next single and will surely raise her profile to new heights. Amy Jo would close out Round 2 with a touching concept in "I Don't Live Here Anymore", the realisation that you gradually fly the nest from your parents house without even knowing. Gently picked out on guitar, and sung in equally mellifluous tones, this also came with well observed tiny details, and paid off with the line "But they'll always give me their spare key"
Round 3 would open with Maggie's uptempo drinking song "Whiskey Please", riff heavy verses attached to an irresistible ear worm of a chorus that seems set to burrow its way in on release. Louise's third offering "The Table" was a vulnerable song venting the frustrations of many independent artists, of just getting their music heard. It was not done in a whining way, just a very coherent presentation on behalf of more than just herself
"I know so many others just like me"
Kier unleashed another grenade with "Down To Your Demons", sterling guitar work matched to a marvellous rising, wordy chorus.
Proving she was no "Dumb" blonde, Amy Jo reeled her off educational achievements, highlighting the dangers of stereotyping.
This was the first time for Amy Jo playing it live, and as it is another song with a high level of production, this version stood up equally well - even assisted by a Maggie Baugh guitar solo.
Maggie would preface her final song with a bit of her life story, of her journey from Keith Urban's band to solo artist selling out venues across the UK on her current tour. All of that would inform Entertainer's Heart"
Louise Connor's final song "Put You Onto Country" details the conversion of folk into the world of country music, in a song filled with little knowing references. With her previous songs looking forward, Kier would close returning to her debut album for the ever anthemic "Someone To You" replete with the afternoon's first singalong!
Amy Jo would close the main set out with "Hold Your Horses", a song of hope for those suffering. After the exuberance of Kier's finale this returned Lil Nashville to pin drop silence the audience held in Amy Jo's grip.
A final group performance of Shania Twain's "You're Still The One" would be the final song of the day - sending us off well satisfied into the bright Chiswick afternoon.
