Before concentrating on Chantel’s set, a quick word about Blue Nation, who kick off proceedings tonight with a highly entertaining 45 minute set. The Brummie band have some great songs and a ‘let’s have fun’ ethic that shines through their terrific take on the blues rock genre.

You must have something about you to stand out in a pretty crowded field and these guys most definitely have it. Shades of Cream, Free, Zep and the more up to date sounds of the likes of Rival Sons abound. Having seen Neil and Luke supporting other acts a couple of times as a duo it was extra nice to see them with drummer Nick as well. Hopefully will catch them as a headline act before too long but if you see them on the bill, make the effort to see them, you’ll love it!

There is a great deal riding on this gig for Chantel McGregor. Her latest album, ‘The Healing’ is out today and this is day one of the tour in support of the release.

For the majority in attendance tonight this is their first chance to hear the new material as McGregor made the conscious decision not to play any of the new tracks live, prior to today but, after several weeks of intensive rehearsals McGregor and her band (Colin Sutton (bass) Thom Gardner (drums) and tonight’s special guest, Jamie Brooks (keyboards) seem relaxed, but focused, as they take to the stage.

A collective deep breath, a silent, ‘let’s do this’ and the band launch into the album opener, ‘I Will Breathe’. The powerful prog influenced riff immediately getting heads nodding in the audience and there is a broad grin on McGregor ‘s face, one minute in and that weight of expectation is lifted and, already, we know we are in for a special night! ‘Broken Heartless Liar’, glorious, pure, unadulterated rock follows and now those smiles are spreading across the stage and out into the packed crowd.

It’s back to the previous album, ‘Lose Control’ next with the haunting, ‘Eternal Dream’ before we return to the latest release and one of the more commercial tracks on the album, ‘Stand On My Own’.

Ultimately we will be hearing every track of ‘The Healing’ tonight and it’s therefore no surprise that we are now treated to three more tracks from 2016’s ‘Lose Control’, including fan favourite, ‘Take The Power’ giving Chantel and the band the chance to stretch out in familiar territory before we return to the new album and the shimmering guitar of ‘Tears’.

What is coming across clearly with this new material is McGregor’s growth as a songwriter, with some stunning, understated guitar work and a real maturity in the lyric department. It’s abundantly clear just how much performing these songs means to Chantel and, more importantly, she is taking us all along on the journey with her.

After a last dip back to 2016, with ‘Burn Your Anger’ it’s another double from the new album; beginning with its haunting guitar intro, reminiscent of latter day Marillion, ‘Echoes’ builds to a spine tingling guitar solo, then it’s straight into ‘Undercover’, a great rock track, driven along brilliantly by the dynamic engine room of Colin and Thom. These guys are on their game all night and it’s clear they are having as much fun as the rest of us!

An impromptu rendition of ‘Creep’ from Chantel and Jamie gives us all the chance to draw breath before the final three songs of the night, beginning with the ever popular ‘April’ in which the whole band get the chance to stretch out.

No one performance of this track is the same and tonight the band absolutely nail it. And talking about nailing it, the highlight of the night for me is the epic, mind blowing, incredible, ‘Truth Will Out’! It’s no secret that this is my favourite track on the new album but, can they bring its layers of complexity to the live stage? The answer is an emphatic yes! Worth the price of admission on its own this is an absolute beast of a song, its Prog influences displayed loud and proud with more stunning guitar work and an incredible vocal performance from Chantel that sends shivers down your spine.

The set closes with the deeply emotional title track from ‘The Healing’. A song of hope and belief that, ultimately, all will be well no matter what life throws at you. It’s a fitting end to a marvellous first night, and the reaction of the crowd proves emphatically that, all the hard work leading up to this moment has well and truly been worth it.

Make no mistake this is a Chantel McGregor we have not seen before. This is anthemic rock, progressive in nature and sound and I urge you to catch her on this tour, you will absolutely love it!

Reviewed by Neil Pudney
Photos by Louise Pudney

Set List:

I Will Breathe / Broken Heartless Liar / Eternal Dream / Stand On My Own / Walk On Land / Your Fever / Take The Power / Tears / Burn Your Anger / Echoes / Undercover / Creep / April / Truth Will Out / The Healing.

Album review/interview (The Healing, 2025)

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