WARD THOMAS + THE COUNTRY AFFAIR – ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH, KEMPTOWN, BRIGHTON 27.11.21
The pews were completely full on an icy Saturday evening in late November, the ‘congregation’ quietly expectant and an enthusiastic hum of voices sounded across St George’s Church in Kemptown, Brighton. We were all awaiting twin sisters, Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas, to appear. Many age groups were represented in the audience and many were already die-hard fans of the 24 year old Hampshire twosome, who had travelled across the country to attend the gig. This was 18th on a tour of 20 dates countrywide promoting Ward Thomas’ latest album ‘Invitation’.
So, how had this Country-pop duo reached this point? Having sung harmonies together since a young age, Catherine and Lizzy grew up listening to a lot of country music and, as a consequence, their song-writing influences include, amongst many, Carrie Underwood, The Dixie Chicks and The Wandering Hearts. The twins’ debut album ‘From Where We Stand’, was released in 2014, reached number 41 on the UK Albums Chart and number 1 on the UK Country Chart, and won UK Album of the Year at the British Country Music Awards. ‘Cartwheels’, their second studio album of four, became the first album by a UK country act to reach number One on the UK Albums Chart, securing them the title of ‘Britain’s first country stars’.
In the church tonight suddenly the mood music stopped and the girls quietly appeared on stage to cheers as they started singing acapella, their first number ‘Dear Me’ from their new album. Their strong vocals harmonised beautifully as, indeed, they seem to do themselves, their sibling relationship giving them support and strength and allowing them to remain individuals whilst complementing each other. Ward Thomas stand out from the many other female singer-songwriters in that their vocals are not just pretty and decorative but powerful and clear and their songs are full of everyday references we can all relate to. Next up was ‘No Fooling Me’ from their 2019 album ‘Restless Minds’, a lovely song, sung to advantage here with the venue’s great acoustics.
‘Cartwheels’ was next up, from their album of the same name released in 2016, which had recently gone gold, Lizzy informed us. Catherine played guitar and Lizzy played keyboards on this number. Ward Thomas were then joined on stage by Gabriel playing keyboards for ‘Stranger’ and this and ‘Sweet Time’ were two of my favourite songs of their set. Their harmonies soared and the addition of Billy Adamson on electric guitar and Chris Duffy on drums added texture and depth to the latter number. This was consummate country-pop under the broad heading ‘Americana’, most songs were upbeat and rousing, many started off with one of them singing alone and swiftly joined by the other, but they were never formulaic, their vocal harmonies establishing their signature sound. Ward Thomas were at ease chatting to the audience and accidentally swore and blasphemed a couple of times, which they apologised for quickly on realising the nature of the venue, to the audience’s delight.
The duo sang many songs from their four albums: ‘Changing’, about world news which we all need to take a breather from occasionally; ‘It’s Not Just Me’, about the feeling of freedom achieved when someone says they have experienced the same as you; ‘Hold Space’, when you give advice to friends only wishing you could retract it when circumstances change. Catherine and Lizzy also sang a new song, ‘Chasing A Mirage’ which had been written in Ventnor on the Isle Of White shortly before their tour started and showcased both their voices. The audience showed their appreciation loudly. Their cover of a song penned by John Meyer, called ‘Stop This Train’, worked nicely and had a lovely soft ending on piano. ‘I Believe In You’, an up-tempo song, elicited enthusiastic clapping and dancing from the audience who had been very ‘well behaved’ up to this point in this church venue. ‘Ugley’, a rocking, stonking pop song, reminiscent of Sheryl Crow, and ‘Guilty Flowers’ were two more favourites of mine, and the rest of the audience it appeared, who demonstrated their appreciation with clapping, whistling and cheering. By the time Ward Thomas reached ‘Carry You Home’ everyone was standing up, dancing and clapping, enthusiastic to hear their encore: a cover of Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey entitled ‘The Middle’ and ‘Safe’.
We came into St George’s Church icy cold, Ward Thomas warmed us, hugging us with their joyful songs. These two know where they are going in life and it’s much further than their next gig.
The Band:
Catherine Ward Thomas (vocals, acoustic guitar)
Lizzy Ward Thomas (vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards)
Billy Adamson (electric guitar & bvs)
Chris Duffy (drums & bvs)
Gabriel (keyboards & bvs)
Ward Thomas setlist:
‘Dear Me’
‘No Fooling Me’
‘Cartwheels’
‘Where The Sky Is’
‘Don’t Be A Stranger’
‘Sweet Time’
‘Wait Up’
‘Changing’
‘It’s Not Just Me’
‘Hold Space’
‘Chasing A Mirage’
‘Stop This Train’ (John Meyer cover)
‘I Believe In You’
‘Town Called Ugley’
‘Push For The Stride’
‘Guilty Flowers’
‘No Filter’
‘One More Goodbye’
‘Someday’
‘Carry You Home’
(encore)
‘The Middle’ (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey cover)
‘Safe’
Support: The County Affair
The County Affair have two founding members, Kevin Brennan and Tony Regan who describe themselves as a UK Americana band with Irish and US influences. Their history is interesting as this is their second foray into full time music. Regan told me after their set had finished that he and Brennan had been lifelong friends who had started out in the music business playing in Irish showbands before touring the States as a folk influenced country duo in the late seventies. It was at this point, in their mid-twenties, when offers were coming in to turn professional that they decided to turn their backs on their music careers and get ‘proper jobs’ and settle down into family life. Fast forward to five years ago and Brennan contacted Regan having written some songs, it wasn’t long before these two friends had formed The County Affair and recorded ten songs at Abbey Road Studios. Brennan is the main songwriter with Regan adding his arrangements and suggestions.
Their songs are enjoyable Americana, showing a mix of influences, some more country, others more indie pop, the accordion adding a lilting, almost sea shanty sound to some numbers. My favourites included ‘The Seaview Inn’, which reminded me of Keane’s Sovereign Light Café, ‘Bourbon Breakfast’, where Regan’s voice had shades of Bowie in the lower registers, and ‘Beach’, a song about a love story and a car crash, he informed the audience, and had a more mainstream Country sound.
The County Affair are supporting Ward Thomas throughout their tour, able to newly enjoy the touring life possibly more so than in their twenties, Regan was extremely excited by possible future opportunities and they hope to play more gigs next year both at festivals and across the UK.
The Band:
Kevin Brennan (guitar)
Tony Regan (accordion)
Rob Yeo (keyboard)
Andrew Finney (percussion)
The Country Affair setlist:
‘The County Affair’
‘Waitress’
‘Off The Grid’
‘Bourbon Breakfast’
‘Man Of Note’
‘Beach’
‘Seaview Inn’
‘Go Tell Your Father’
