Graham Nash's Historical Return: The British Country Music Festival 2023 Recap
- by Andrew Braithwaite
- in Latest
Festival-goers at The British Country Music Festival witnessed a historic moment as the legendary Graham Nash, co-founder of The Hollies and a member of Crosby, Stills & Nash, took the stage for the first time in his birth town of Blackpool as a solo act. This year's lineup was the most star-studded to date, also featuring appearances by Ashley Campbell, daughter of Glen Campbell, and Megan McKenna, who rose to fame through prime-time television.
The venue of choice, the iconic Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens, never ceases to amaze. With a rich history of hosting top-tier artists, it has welcomed legends like The Rolling Stones, Kings of Leon, and Ed Sheeran over the years.
The level of talent on display is consistently top-notch, leaving little room for disappointment. Nonetheless, there were certain performances that truly stood out for me.
Isabella Coulstock kicked things off in The Empress Ballroom on Friday night with her first full-band gig. Commanding great stage presence, she went on to deliver an impressive set, showcasing a full package of solid instrumental skills on guitar and keys, coupled with endearing yet powerful vocals. With recent tours alongside Jools Holland and a track record of performing at iconic venues and festivals, all at the young age of 21, she appears to be one of the most promising acts of this year's TBCMF.
The Dunwells created a special moment at the festival when they spontaneously joined the crowd in the middle of the Empress Ballroom and performed 'Gold' from their latest album. The Dunwells' distinctive and impressive harmonies shone throughout their set, a strong trait for which the indie-folk/Americana act has become recognised.
Jade Helliwell, whom we have previously interviewed, was a fantastic addition to the Friday night festivities. She delivered a lively set, featuring some of her popular songs like 'Smoke' and 'Stormchaser,' while also engaging the enthusiastic crowd with covers of Shania Twain's 'That Don't Impress Me Much' and Carrie Underwood's 'Before He Cheats.' The multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, hailing from Yorkshire, has firmly established her name in the UK country music scene.
Simeon Hammond Dallas kicked off Saturday night at the Empress Ballroom, delighting the audience with a skillfully blended mix of country, soul, and blues tunes. Simeon's voice was truly exceptional—a quality best experienced live. Her commanding vocal power and character shone brilliantly throughout the set. Additionally, she switched between rhythm and lead guitar roles, embellishing the performance with tasteful and smooth guitar licks and solos.
Megan McKenna, better known for her television career with appearances on programs like 'The Only Way Is Essex,' 'Celebrity Big Brother,' and her victory on 'The X Factor: Celebrity' in 2019, proved to be a remarkable addition to TBCMF, injecting heaps of energy into the stage on Saturday night. Initially, for those unfamiliar, Megan might seem more like a TV personality than a singer, but her vocals can compete with some of the best. She possesses an emotive voice that naturally aligns with country music. Megan performed her most popular song, 'This,' a heartfelt number from her 'X-Factor' performance, and delivered crowd-pleasing country-fied covers, including 'Sweet Caroline.' She also impressed with her rendition of Britney's 'Everytime,' a more recent release of hers.
The main headliner of the weekend, Graham Nash, needs little introduction. Known for co-founding The Hollies and his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash, history was made that night in Blackpool as he took to the stage solo for the very first time.
Guiding the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, Nash employed his storytelling prowess, which he has fine-tuned and developed over six decades, to captivate the crowd with tales from yesteryear. An evident creative genius, it's astonishing to think he's 81 years old. Unlike many artists from his era, his voice has undeniably stood the test of time, maturing like a fine wine.
Between songs, Graham engaged in lively banter with the crowd and came across as humble and grounded. At one point, he playfully mentioned that it would be nice to have some Blackpool rock to feel at home, and to his delight, the festival organiser promptly presented him with some on stage.
Robbie Cavanagh and his band took the stage on Sunday, and if he weren't such a remarkable singer-songwriter, he might have easily succeeded as a stand-up comedian. His banter was top-notch, often leaving the audience in stitches with his humorous quips and stories. Robbie could be considered one of the more underrated acts of the weekend, yet he delivered an outstanding performance. His song 'Godsend' highlighted his superb vocal range, delivering a seriously emotional performance, not to mention his exceptional guitar accompaniment. The intensity of his lyrics throughout the set and his honest performance were a real treat.
Campbell/Jensen served as this year's international headliner act, taking the stage as a duo and showcasing exceptional harmonies and intricate guitar playing. They often switched lead roles between each other, and Ashley Campbell added another layer with her skillful use of the banjo. Their performance spanned across various genres, including country, blues, gypsy jazz, and swing. The dynamic duo even ventured into instrumental songs with remarkable precision. The top-tier quality of their delivery should come as no surprise, considering Thor Jensen's virtuoso guitar skills and Ashley Campbell's lineage as the daughter of the country legend Glen Campbell.
Closing the festival was the intriguing act John Bramwell & The Full Harmonic Convergence. Initially, it appeared that the audience was slightly apprehensive about what John Bramwell had in store, but by the end of the show, they were definitely won over. Bramwell was a charismatic character, and his one-liners and jokes seemed to enhance his performance. Even moments of slight chaos, like choosing the wrong guitar, appeared to be part of the act, in line with his eccentric character. There's no doubt about his skill as a musician and songwriter, and his band includes a cellist, which adds an extra dimension to the music and provides plenty of entertainment.
The 3 day festival showcased over 100 performers, and tickets are already on sale for 2024 here.
