It’s my first time at the tiny Blue Basement downstairs in Third Man records in London. Capacity is allegedly sixty but it feels too small for that many people so particularly stoked to get these tickets for the super talented Margo Cilker.
At a time when female country is so woefully ignored commercially in the US you could argue that we are in the golden age of artistes with the likes of Margo Price, Molly Tuttle, Ashley McBride, Ashley Monroe, Courtney Marie Andrews, Allison Russell, Whitney Rose to name just a few. So it’s even more difficult for the cream to rise to the top but rise Margo does. What stands Margo out is the quality of her songwriting and nearly every song has a line or two that makes you think, laugh, cry or all three.
Tonight is a showcase for her debut album of course but there’s plenty of room for some new songs too and she is accompanied by an upright bass player/cellist to create a lovely laid back acoustic sound to support her guitar. It’s quite a classic voice sharing similarities with the namesaked Margo Price with a great range ably demonstrated on many of the tunes. What’s also evident is Margo’s charm and comfortableness that she can hold the room between songs with her stories and anecdotes
It’s a short sharp sixty minute set and highlights are many and plenty with the upbeat ‘Tehachapi’ and ‘Brother, Taxman, Preacher’ particular standouts but there are plenty of ballads too to round the set out with some light and shade.
She is back in August so if you like top notch country then check her out.
Keep on country rockin’ y’all.