It’s a blast from the first minute to the last with both Justin and Sarah clearly enjoying themselves and feeling the love of the packed crowd. They open up with the excellent ‘Hangin on a lie’ with Sarah rocking it on the electric mandolin. As John Hiatt once said, ‘I like country music and I like Mandolins’ and he was right.
The set taken from their first album and a sprinkling of covers showcase both of their exceptional talents as guitarists, songwriters and singers providing perfect harmonies throughout.
Difficult to pick out a highlight from a strong set but the emotional ‘when the right one comes along’ probably steals the show. Props though to a fine version of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Never Going Back Again’ and also the twin acoustic guitar attack on the Average White Band’s ‘Pick up the pieces’.
What has struck me over the 'new country’ gigs this week is the genuine affection between the audience and the artist. There’s a real connection and enthusiasm that’s really nice to see. London often has a reputation for its crowds to be aloof and stand offish but not this week.
Keep on rockin y’all.