Jessica Lynn and her band have reached the UK (again) on her their
European tour – a tour that started sometime in May! First date on the UK leg was at the Lexington
in Islington, which really felt like a proper old fashioned intimate live venue.
Opening act for the Lexington was a brand new band – The Fatherline,
with a very familiar looking bearded face fronting it. Tim PJ, who was one quarter
of the Wandering Hearts until recently, took to the stage for his first gig
with this new band: Steven Marks on Bass and Rich Watson on lead guitar. Although obviously not new to performing, Tim
took his position, centre stage like a natural demonstrating stage presence and with good humoured banter.
His own music is raw and heartfelt, and went down really well with the
assembled crowd.
Next up were Gasoline & Matches who will be opening for Jessica on a
number of dates on this tour. Performing
as a four piece, Sally Rea Morris and Steven Marks were joined by regular
bassist Jamie Clayton and stepping in on drums was Pano Moullaris. Although they have an album out very soon,
Gasoline & Matches are very much a live band, as evidenced by their
barnstorming Paddock Stage set at the recent Buckle & Boots festival, and
tonight was no difference. Their
individual musical skills – especially Steve’s guitar work and Sally’s ability
to own a stage – means that every show is slightly different, and with Pano
pounding the skins, they really brought out their rocking side which was in
tune with the venue.
Jessica Lynn doesn’t walk onto a stage, she bounces on, and she bounces
for the whole performance. The whole
band really know how to put on a SHOW, and the energy they bring and the fun
they are having is evident from start to finish. In fact, it isn’t so much a show as a party
on stage – and we are all invited to join in!
Dance if you wanna dance, sing if you wanna sing, but be sure you put
your arms in the air!
Jessica treated us
to a mix of her older songs, new music, tracks from her new album and some well
placed rock covers. It is difficult to
pick out highlights from such a show, but… Queen’s Fat Bottomed Girls
and a cover of 9 to 5 played as though they owned those songs, the
unmissable Roadhouse which had every person in the room joining in and
an impromptu dance group at the back of the room consisting of Silverball
Country, Sally Rea and Lauren, dragged away from the merch stand! It’s not a
Jessica Lynn gig now without an amazing rendition of Johnny B Goode,
which showcased the talent of this band
with Uncle Bob stepping up front on guitar and Jessica moving back to drums.
From start to finish the evening was a great showcase of musical talent,
and from start to finish the headline set was a high energy party, even on a
Tuesday night.
This is a tour you really should catch – Birmingham tonight and all
dates and tickets on www.jessicalynnmusic.org
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