Chantel didn’t let a temperamental TENS machine upset tonight’s gig although she claimed it buzzed over the PA during quiet bits. If it was part of the act it didn’t detract and merely contributed to the easy repartee from a performer described by Pete Feenstra as crossing the divide between Gracie Fields and Steve Vai.

To that we might add as refreshing as Yorkshire Tea and as satisfying as Fat Rascals.

We’ve long followed Chantel and I first saw her live at Giants of Rock in 2018. We commented then you were as likely to learn as much about cosmetic tips in her social media as news of a new album. She now has an allotment – hopefully the radishes won’t get in the way of the rock – although perhaps she’ll give Francis Tophill a run for her money.

Anyone who seeks out craft ale pubs on her travels and plots them on a map has my vote.

The fun personality is as engaging as ever but the music has matured. The new album made our Best of 2025. The Healing was well featured tonight and emphasised the short and sweet nature of tracks like ‘I Will Breathe’, ‘Broken Hearted Liar’, and ‘Undercover’.

But Chantel also played two live staples, the super wig out ‘Walk On Land’ (Lose Control, 2015) and ‘April’ (featured on her live album ‘Bury’d Alive’, 2019) which she says she plays differently each gig. Her band – Thom Gardner on drums and Jake Dickens on bass – provided great support throughout whilst judicious use of backing tape filled out the sound.

Chatting to Chantel after the gig it seems she might be experimenting with prog and jazzy instrumentals for her next album. One thing that struck me with her Lockdown limited releases (The Shed Sessions) she is not only a talented guitarist but a great vocalist. Tonight she played two songs acoustically including ‘Anaesthetize’ underlining that she sometimes plays solo acoustic gigs.

Closing with the standout ”Stand On My Own’, ‘Truth Will Out’ and ‘The Healing’, she encouraged the polite but modest sized crowd to recommend her to their friends and a genuine plea to keep live music alive.

The legendary Louisiana has hosted the likes of Amy Whitehouse and Dua Lipa and looking at the current poster – whilst I didn’t recognise any of the names – there was a distinct absence of tribute bands. So a real grass roots enterprise. And it was almost like Chantel was playing in your front room if it was a large one.

Chantel started playing the blues rock circuit but as successive albums have shown she is much wider in terms of genre. Sadly her audience is old (certainly based on tonight’s crowd) which might detract from her potential appeal to those nearer her own age.

Reviewing for us in 2012 Noel Buckley suggested Joanne Shaw Taylor should be looking over her shoulder. That may have been a moment in time but both have broadened their scope with successive albums and with a distinct nod to mainstream appeal.

Chantel’s current modus operandi is still very much a family affair (with mum on the merch stall), cottage industry based, and fiercely independent. She deserves much wider success, sadly only constrained by the fragmented nature of music and a certain industry myopia.

She’s likely to be playing at a venue near you at some time in the future, so don’t hesitate to lend your own support. And that, like the TENS machine, should provide her with some comfort.

Review and photos by David Randall

Album review (The Healing, 2025)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness (February 2023)

Tour dates

WED 21 OCTOBER 2026

PENZANCE – THE ACORN

THUR 22 OCTOBER 2026

FROME – TREEHOUSE

SAT 31 OCTOBER

LONDON, PUTNEY – HALF MOON (SOLO ACOUSTIC)

FRI 6 NOVEMBER 2026

WHITBY ROCKS FESTIVAL

SAT 14 NOVEMBER

STOWMARKET – JOHN PEEL CENTRE (SOLO ACOUSTIC)

THUR 19 NOVEMBER

LINCOLN – SOUTHSIDE (SOLO ACOUSTIC)

SAT 21 NOVEMBER

BIRMINGHAM – JOE JOE JIMS

WED 25 NOVEMBER 2026

KINROSS – BACKSTAGE AT THE GREEN

THUR 26 NOVEMBER 2026

ABERDEEN – DRUMMONDS

FRI 27 NOVEMBER 2026

TROON, WINTERSTORM FESTIVAL

SUN 6 DECEMBER 2026

LEAMINGTON SPA – TEMPERANCE -MATINEE 2PM – SOLO ACOUSTIC

SUN 6 DECEMBER 2026

LEAMINGTON SPA – TEMPERANCE - EVENING 7PM – SOLO ACOUSTIC

SOLD OUT

THUR 10 DECEMBER 2026

YORK – FULFORD ARMS – SOLO ACOUSTIC

FRI 11 DECEMBER 2026

LICHFIELD – GUILDHALL

THUR 7 JANUARY 2027

TEDDINGTON – LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE

FRI 15 JANUARY 2027

LOWDHAM – VILLAGE HALL

FRI 22 JANUARY 2027

BARTON UPON HUMBER – ROPEWALK

SAT 23 JANUARY 2027

BLACKPOOL – BLUES, RHYTHM & ROCK FESTIVAL

THUR 28 JANUARY 2027

HALIFAX – GRAYSTON UNITY

More dates

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 27 September 2026.

How to Listen Live?

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Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 12 October 2026

TAKIDA – Lion’s Den (Drongo Records)
SCARDUST – Symphony (Frontiers)
ANBERLIN – Gravity (Rude Records/Equal Vision Records)
MISSING TOYS – Lifeline (Pride & Joy Music)
SWEET GORILLA – It’s Your Life (5000 Records)
ROYAL BLOOD – Dead Company (Warner Records)

Featured Albums w/c 12 October 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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