If you’re heading off to see
Jade Helliwell on her rebegin tour this week, make sure you’re there in time
for the opener – Matt Rogers. Matt is a
Nashville based singer songwriter with a humble demeanour, a great talent for
storytelling and clearly – from some of his songs – a rather cheeky side!
Matt worked hard to awaken
the Tuesday night crowd, throwing out options for song choice, not being
defined by a set list. He even taught them “Holla and Swalla”
Despite the big, deep voice,
Matt comes across as humble, giving the backstory to each song. He is bound to
hook you in. Warning though, he not a fan of the cosplay cowboy, hailing as he does from
a farm in Atlanta.
The room grew darker and the
band (Arnie, Harry and Luke) took to the stage first, before Jade made her
entrance. In room 1 of the Hare and Hounds the artists must make their way from the back
of the room, across the dance floor and up a flight of steps. Later
than advertised, it was a confident entrance and Jade looked
great (especially having a 5-month baby) in a black bodysuit, sparkly trousers
and cow-print arm tassels. No messing,
straight into her opening number, full of energy.
Jade played a mixture of old
and new music including the 2022 BCMA Single of the Year – Smoke. Asking if there were any couples in the
audience, she decided “How Love Goes” to them, rather than husband Luke.
Incorporating their names in the same and a slight hint at another baby (“a
house built for 4”) she displayed not just her writing skills (it’s absolutely
one of her best songs) but her sense of humour and ability to interact with the
crowd. The performance and vocals probably belong on a West End stage belting
out musical theatre.
After ending with “Drink You
Outta My Mind”; Jade briefly exited the stage, returning for the encore with
“Women I am”, despite Luke’s claims that they “didn’t know any more songs”.
Motherhood hasn’t slowed
Jade down at all, a new album, a tour and booked up for an array of country
festivals this summer - but it has
influenced her merch, adding a Baby grow to the mix alongside her first vinyl
album!
Don’t worry if you not got
your tickets for this rest of this tour yet - Tickets - you can catch up with both Matt (with full band) and Jade at Buckle and Boots Festival in May.
Find Jade on Facebook, Instagram and her website and follow her on Spotify
