Amy-Jo – Friends You Meet Along the Way (Chester)

I am normally passing through Chester to go to gigs. So it was a pleasant surprise to find the first date on Amy-Jo’s new tour within the city itself. Keeping the same title as her last one, ‘Friends You Meet Along the Way’, her two companions for this one were Grace Elizabeth Harvey and Bella Wright. Both brought different facets to the singer-songwriter mould. The former steeped in earthy Folk. The latter influenced by Musical soundtracks. They represent the narrative storytelling that runs through Amy-Jo like a stick of rock. The ideal support acts for her particular brand of Country-Pop.

For anyone who has tuned into her album recording sessions, the stage at The Live Rooms sought to recreate that studio. Dusty pink lighting with a smattering of red and blue protruded onto blackened drapes, providing an intimate backdrop for various instruments and a mic stand blooming with LED flowers. It captured in visual form Amy-Jo’s bright and sensitive temperament. The set which followed a mix of pleasing bass-lined earworms and beautifully reflective ballads. Callum Mangold-Jackson brilliantly bouncing between acoustic, bass, keyboard and kickdrum to amplify a sound stripped of its full production.

One of the advantages of hearing her songs in this way is the emphasis upon elements sometimes masked in the final edit. Those soulful vocals became evident in ‘Shoulder Pads’. There was some luscious RnB poured out onto ‘Take the Backseat’. A touch of Lainey Wilson (one of her country music idols) lined ‘Hypocrite’. Her versatility is stronger now than ever. Matched by a quiet confidence which sees her slip from a clearly emotional performance of ‘I’d Fill You In’ to a measured rendition of ‘February 14^th’. ‘Cascade’ follows, showcasing her musical progression, with a deceptively gentle guitar playing against an incessantly juicy beat. One of a number of new songs from her upcoming album which seem to push for the latter without compromising on the lyrical quality she is known for.

Twelve months on from when I last saw her live, I felt like I was witnessing a more refined performer. Someone who, in the process of making her debut record, has solidified the best parts of herself while chasing down the next level of finesse. She does so with such joy and grace that one can’t help but be caught up in the excitement of her journey. And it’s partly through coming to these ‘lesser’ places that fans outside of the major cities become real champions of the cause.

You can catch Amy-Jo along with a host of other ‘Friends’ at the venues below. Visit her website for tickets.