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Cabaret Voltaire Edinburgh
Nov 15th 2024
On this tour Elles has two support acts. First up sees a welcome return to Bristol based Demi Marriner who I saw supporting Elles on her 2021 tour. Three years down the line with one full album under her belt and with a second on the point of release I enjoyed her very truncated five-song set. I think they were titled and not in order Last Summer, Distorted Desires, Sins and new single Repeat Refrain plus one other I did not catch the title of. She is an engaging performer with a nice self-deprecating sense of humour.
Second support, Ida Mae consisting of husband and wife duo Chris and Stephanie Turpin, was a very different kettle of fish. I truly found it excitingly difficult to place their music. Was it deep Blues, way out there Rock, some sort of Grungy Folk alternative? I don’t know but they were truly unique. Chris pounded away on a floor pedal whilst shredding his guitar to bits. I could not shake my ears away for the raucous sounds coming off the stage. As for song titles apart from the one Long Gone And Heart Worn I have no idea but for sure I am going to investigate.
There was a very strict curfew tonight so sets were shortened and to the point plus change-overs were very quickly completed with headliner Elles blazing on to stage at 20.30hrs. There are some artists which, upon reflection, you have no idea how they came to your attention but for sure I have been playing her regularly on my programmes since late 2017. I really, like her brand of Blues based Americana music. She is a highly observant reporter of the human condition and a passionate champion of the rights of women to be themselves. The winner of countless Blues awards she possesses a husky vocal style, the result of childhood illness, which just suits her music. So this time around Elles is out promoting her superb award-winning album Beneath The Neon Glow from which she drew several cuts to sit along side some tasty memory treats from her past canon of releases. The set list is below but for me the highlights were Leave The Light On, Ballad Of A Broken Dream, Silhouette In A Sunset, Love Yourself, Turn Off The News and the magnificent cover of John Prine’s Angel From Montgomery. A deeply emotive, poignant song sung tonight with all the Gospel Blues infused passion it deserved. Brilliant and with superb keyboard from band mate Johnny Henderson and guitar from Joe Wilkins, Matthew Waer bass, Demi Marriner vocals & guitar
Should you not be aware of Elle’s and her music I urge you to investigate as soon as possible as you will not be disappointed.
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