“You’ve
made my dream come true”
Emilia Quinn took the stage in the intimate but iconic venue 2 at The Hare and Hounds in Birmingham on Wednesday night as part of her Wanderlust and Breaking Hearts tour – a tour that could have been titled the Dreams Come True Tour. An opportunity to not only play a headline tour but also release – in fact “celebrate” her debut album was clearly a massive deal for Emilia who has seen her standing in the UK Country scene grow over the past few years, from acoustic solo sets to main stage performances at Buckle and Boots.
Accompanied by her loyal and
very talented band – John W Doyle on lead guitar, Michael Addy on bass and
Steven McMurray on drums – Emilia spent an hour and a half on stage playing not
just the new tracks but some old favourites too. The night was certainly a
celebration – of the new album, of Emilia’s vocal range and her songwriting
ability.
With two opening acts, the
night was certainly good value, and in a lovely touch, Emilia made a point of
coming to the stage to personally introduce each one.
Friend and fellow Yorkshire
resident Matt Hodges opened the show with an acoustic set. Most people will be more used to seeing Matt
with a full band – or even an orchestra last summer! – but with nothing more
than an acoustic guitar and his deep, gravelly voice he warmed up the crowd for
the night to follow. With catchy sing
along songs and a superb set ending rendition of Friends In Low Places it is
easy to see why Matt spends most of his year on the road performing – and he
has just finished his own UK tour along with Ruthie Collins.
Matt gave way to Midlands
band Wood Burnt Red. Formed in
2020, WBR have exploded onto the UK country scene. Squeezing five of them on to the stage they
brought their style of southern rock which complements Emilia’s own style. Playing their back catalogue and their latest
single – 18 Stone - you could sense the
room warming up ready for our headliner!
Emilia Quinn has come a long
way, but it her own words she’s not stopping!
Despite the scale of the undertaking – an album and a headline tour all
in one week – she remains a calm, professional performer, although she did say
to us before the show
I’ll take it in when its finished
The band support her
superbly – even filling in while she changes guitar! – and provide a strong
platform for her voice. Probably her
best loved hit, the rocky and feisty Outlaw certainly got the crowd
going, and they listened attentively to her sadder songs. The inclusion of Girltalk called for an
additional singer – and if you weren’t at the Birmingham show you missed the
sight of Tom Franklin from Wood Burnt Red in a blonde wig filling in for the
multiple female vocals on that single!
The album itself is a bit of
a departure from some of her previous work, with a gospel/blues influence to
many of the tracks. Hearing it live was
hugely different to listening to our review copy, especially as Emilia explains
the influences behind the songs – her wife Tammy (Magpie) , the loss of
her grandfather (Rosary Beads).
We learned that Mountains is just Emilia and piano because the
band couldn’t fit in the studio when recording it and decided that they
couldn’t add anything to it.
Southern Gospel influenced
River rightly opens the album, and opens with just Emilia’s voice before
the backing instrumentation comes in softly.
This sets the tone for what is to come and demonstrates a maturing since
the earlier work, whilst Magpie shows that Emilia hasn’t lost her rocky
edge. Nothing To Lose blends a
soft opening with a uptempo rhythm.
Previous single Mr Shame is a nod to bad relationships and a nod
to more rock/pop infused country. In
My Boots is bluesy with a thumping bass track that we all clapped and
stamped to at the live show, while Mountains is slow and heartfelt,
working perfectly as just keys/vocal. On
The Run is again blues, whilst Daddy’s Girl gives us the album and
tour title, opening with the words “Wanderlust and Breaking Rules”. Rosary Beads is clearly very personal,
and was an outpouring after the loss of her Grandfather, a very measured and
gentle tribute. Final track Backroads
also closes the live show. Is a fitting
close to both as it has the message of overcoming your struggles and keeping on
to your goal.
If the album showcases
Emilia’s developing songwriting ability, the live show showcases her developing
performance. Entertaining, talented and
professional, she’ll “keep travelling down these backroads” and it should be a
great journey!
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