It is undoubtedly interesting times for the two former vanguards of the UK Country movement, Ward Thomas and The Shires, who remain for the moment the only acts to have truly broken into the mainstream, despite many others getting to tap on the glass ceiling without quite getting to break through. Each have spent much of the last two years touring in reduced circumstances with just one additional musician between them. This of course was driven by the arrival of young families and the delicate balancing act that it entails. On the plus side it has given each a chance to reacquaint themselves with their material and their fans as they plan where to go next.
Tonight would open with a short set from Bristol based Beth Rowley, easily looking a good 10 or 15 years younger than what she told us from the stage, with her hair a mop of blonde curls, and aptly a crucifix hanging down over her Harley Davison T Shirt. It was apt as much of her material had a most definite Gospel vibe to it and of course after all we were in church! It is not often that you can see an artist visibly enjoying their time on stage however Beth from the moment she took to the stage seemed to be breathing in every single second of her short but hugely enjoyable set.
As she walked on to the stage, she clearly settled herself, pausing a moment, taking in a deep breath before launching into an a capella version of "Climbing High Mountains". She would then be joined by guitarist Tom Kuras before humming the intro to "Wade In The Water", the delightful gospel sound could not have sounded better. Beth had an unusual habit of singing side on, and for "This Train" would join in as well on harmonica. There would be more harmonica on "Precious Lord" which would close with Beth singing off mic.
Most of the set would be forged from Beth's 2024 album "Pale Jewel Vol II" however thankfully she found space to squeeze in "Nobody's Fault But Mine" which we urge everyone to go check out in its recorded format. Tonight's version obviously did not have the instrumentation but Beth would add drama in by once again singing off mic. Closing with "Only One Cloud" this was a fabulous but brief appearance hopefully heralding a return to active duty after taking time out to bring up children.
As Ward Thomas took to the stage there were undoubtedly a few odd issues we have to point out. The first being that Catherine and Lizzie were placed so far apart that at times it was like watching a match at Wimbledon as your gaze switched from one to the other. The lighting for much of the night also left them in a state of perpetual gloom which was strange, there was at one point a lighting effect where 8 low wattage bulbs flashed on and off - there was no need to shield your eyes!
Things would open with a shortened A cappella cover of Coldplay's "Yellow", before they were joined by regular guitarist Billy for a run through some of the more uptempo songs in their catalogue "Use Me", "Boomerang" and "Meant To Be Me" to ease everyone into the acoustic sound. Billy did play some inventive guitar lines throughout however without the oomph of a full band they were enjoyable but don't carry the same punch. Having both recently been hit by the pesky covid virus recently it was also evident that Catherine was still fighing off the tail end of the illness at times.
The undoubted highlight of recent shows has been the song that Lizzie penned for Catherine for her wedding, "I Do", tonight it was joined by Catherine's return favour "More Than You Can Know" which managed to neatly include references to their songs. Both songs are heartfelt and sounded so much the better for being about something, very much playing to their strengths. Along with "When It's Not Me" and "Comeback Baby" this was undoubtedly one of the stongest sections of the evening.
The quality in those songs did really highlight that maybe "This Is Gonna Hurt" and "Miles Don't Matter" even with it's Pettyish nods are built on less sturdy foundations. It was something that would become even more clearer later in the show. If #TEAMw21 have had one major misgiving about Ward Thomas in recent years it has been there seeming disrespect of their own back catalogue - early songs if they appeared at all were mashed together into ill conceived medleys but tonight we had a true trip down memory lane with "Way Back When", "Footnotes" and "Push For The Stride" all sounding superb and really lifting things. Other shows have seen "Wasted Words" and "Town Called Ugley" also getting an outing - and let's hope that replaying those songs will kick off a new vein of writing form.
A closing salvo of "Next To You", "Cartwheels" sounding back to its best and "Carry Me Home" would close out what despite our occasional gripes was a most enjoyable evening.