Words and Photos: Elliot Louis
Mike Ryan opened the show with music that evokes the spirit of Jeff Buckley and Jonah Matranga (Far). His sound dives deep into the acoustic side of post-hardcore and true indie (think Pavement), while fearlessly exploring more expansive and flamboyant territory. His track Palace of the Peacock, which won Liverpool Acoustic in 2022, is a perfect example of his ability to embrace grandeur while staying grounded. It was a captivating start to the evening.
Rachel Jean Harris took the stage, accompanied by her partner Jamie Brewster on bass. Like Ryan, Harris has a unique talent for transporting listeners to different worlds. Her music confronts serious issues of social injustice, giving life to characters who reflect these themes. While Ryan leans into the intellectual side of indie, Harris remains rooted in jazz-inflected territory, though she defies categorisation as a jazz or blues artist, crafting a sound all her own.
After over a year in the making, Liz Owen’s album Beautiful Beasts has finally been released, and tonight’s performance was nothing short of powerful. Owen has faced immense hardship, loss, and deep sadness over the past few years, and this album, along with her performance, was a testament to her strength—not only as a musician but as a human being and a visual artist. The set included her dark, dangerous track Evil Wicked Woman, the hauntingly beautiful Ghosts, and the heartfelt storytelling of Fireside. Owen and bassist Chris Jones brought an energetic, rock-infused performance, reminiscent of the legendary twin guitar attack of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson.
An emotional tribute to Owen by pianist and vocalist Nicola Hardman gave a touching tribute to her friend towards the end of the set was deeply moving.
Links:
Liz Owen:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizOwenMusic
Web: https://www.lizowenmusic.co.uk
Rachel Jean Harris:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.j.harris.792
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/rachaeljeanharris
Mike Ryan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.ryan.music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100019437145250
Bandcamp: https://mike-ryan.bandcamp.com