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Review: Elles Bailey, Electric Bristol – ‘A triumphant homecoming’
Bristol’s blues boss Elles Bailey is back with a banger, her latest studio album Can’t Take My Story Away. The album promo tour, which kicked off in Germany, stopped by her home city to the delight of her loyal fandom. And she did not disappoint.
Elles Bailey is a consummate artist who cannot be contained under a single category. She moves seamlessly between blues, roots, country, R’n’B, soul and jazz.
Her journey, from a young girl immersed in her father’s vast record collection to developing the signature smoky, velvety voice that can command any stage, should be an inspiration to any aspiring artist.
The award-winning singer has been the toast of the British blues scene, picking up Artist of the Year at the UK Blues Awards in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Her fifth studio album, Can’t Take My Story Away, builds on her heartfelt lyrics and mercurial delivery.
Elles Bailey delivered a high-octane 90-minute set
The sold-out crowd at Electric Bristol roared as Bailey took to the stage alongside her super-talented backing band, which consists of composers and soloists of their own right.
Despite having performed with, or supported, some of the biggest names in music, including Don McLean, Van Morrison, Mike Farris, Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Bonnie Raitt and Rag’n’Bone Man, she remains supremely grounded and refreshingly without any ego.
She is as much a performer as she is a singer-songwriter. It seems as though she connects with every single soul in the audience, making direct eye contact and smiling and drawing them into the performance, creating a real sense of synergy.
The evening kicked off with the titular track from her new album, Can’t Take My Story Away. Demi Marriner’s acoustic guitar, rich with country hues, soon gave way to a soaring brass section, with standout performances from trumpeter Paul Jordanous and saxophonist Sophie Stockham-Brown. All of it was then sweetened by Bailey’s velvety vocals, weaving together a tapestry of rare beauty.
The second track on the setlist, Growing Roots, with its foot-tapping beat and Joe Wilkins’ lead guitar riff, carried a strong message of self-assurance and owning your space.
“I fight for every move I make, But there’s quiet in your sweet embrace”
Bristol’s blues boss Elles Bailey is back with a banger, her latest studio album Can’t Take My Story Away
Perhaps one of the most poignant moments of the night was Better Days, written by Matt Long, who sadly passed away at the age of 29. There was beauty and vulnerability in Bailey’s delivery.
By popular demand, Bailey delved into the strong back catalogue and revisited some showstoppers.
Bailey does not hide behind a veneer. She shares her vulnerabilities and doubts about herself, her body, becoming a mother and her artistry, but ultimately lands on reassurance. Constant Need to Keep Going, with its strong country vibes, is delivered with a remarkable ease.
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Tightrope, aptly named, delves into mental health and the feeling of being weighed down. Marriner shines again here, her soulful strumming giving the track a meditative quality. It does not end in hopelessness, but with a sense of reassurance that better times are ahead.
Bailey then goes to the Hammond organ for Let It Burn. It captures the sting of betrayal in a relationship before exploding into a furious, cathartic chorus of “burn, burn, burn”.
The award-winning singer has been the toast of the British blues scene, picking up multiple accolades
The supergroup kept everything tight and taut, with Matthew Jones and Matthew Waer providing metronomic precision on drums and bass. The whole performance was given a gleaming finish by Jonny Henderson’s soulful organ fills and trills on the Hammond.
When the 90-minute high-octane set came to a close with Take a Step Back, the crowd erupted, prompting Bailey and the band to return for a double encore, which included What’s the Matter With You.
Comparisons are shallow and unhelpful. Elles Bailey is Elles Bailey. She has carved out her own place in the UK’s blues scene through sheer artistry and high-energy delivery. Bristol should be proud.
The homecoming gig of Elles Bailey was a triumph
All photos: Milan Perera
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