Gig review: THEA GILMORE, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 10 May 2013

This promotional gig for Thea’s excellent new album Regardless, complete with supporting string quartet, proved at least one thing – there’s no finer British vocalist/singer songwriter on the scene at present.

Finding local ‘talent’ to open the set – a guy called Johnny Sands who did his best but was frankly out of his league – wasn’t, perhaps, the smartest of moves. Yes, it set Thea in the best possible light, but a innovative reworking of Echo & The Bunnymen’s ‘Killing Moon’ apart, it succeeded only in driving patrons towards the bar.

Thea, on the other hand was the consummate professional with a set that, while focusing on her new album, dipped into recent releases and further back into her catalogue. In particular, the string section brought material from her 2011 Sandy Denny project (Don’t Stop Singing) to life, while her self-depreciating banter and good humour served to strengthen the bond with an appreciative audience. And Gilmore herself was clearly grateful for the support that has pushed ‘Regardless’ to the boundaries of the Top 40. A significant achievement for an independent artist, but one very much merited.

On the night, her band led by hubbie Nigel Stonier were as tight as you might expect, at times perhaps overpowering the string quartet and it would have been nice to see more of the piano/strings combination that worked so well on ‘Mainstream’ and which was a platform that presented Gilmore’s vocal prowess in all its glory.

In fact, it was the unaccompanied performance of ‘The Amazing Floating Man’ – taken from her ‘tour only’ Beginners EP – that held the audience most transfixed. A pin dropping could have been heard during its quite stunning rendition. The closing encore ‘My Friend Goodbye’, supported just by Stonier on acoustic guitar, was equally poignant.

The other thing the date proved was that Gilmore has it all – she can do folk, pop, soft rock all with equal aplomb. And on the night she gave a peerless vocal performance. I’ve seen her several times now, and this was by far the most complete. Combined with Regardless including some of her most commercial/radio friendly work to date, and clearly striking a chord with the public, could it be that she’s on finally on the brink of achieving the wider recognition she so richly deserves?

Review by Pete Whalley

Set List: This Is How You Find The Way/ Old Soul/ Beautiful Hopeful/ Start As You Mean To Go On/ This Road/ Brother Can You Spare Me A Dime/ The Amazing Floating Man/ Mainstream/ Pain In My Heart/ I Will Not Disappoint You/ Spit And Shine/ Regardless/ Love Came Looking For Me/ You’re The Radio/Something To Sing About/ London/ This Girl Is Taking Bets/ My Friend Goodbye.

Album review (Regardless)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)