Joanne Shaw Taylor / Wulfrun Hall / Wolverhampton

Sep 30

Sep 30 Joanne Shaw Taylor / Wulfrun Hall / Wolverhampton

A trip across the Midlands to the University of Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall, to catch local Wednesbury born singer / songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor on here 2025 ‘Black & Gold’ tour.

First up in support we are delighted with a set from Ferris and Sylvester, an Anglo/Scottish singer/songwriting couple, Issy & Archie. They open their set with a beautiful and bluesy track called Dark Side which is followed by the bright and effervescent Better In Yellow.

Issy and Archie have a great stager presence and interact naturally with the audience. Issy jokes that they are used to performing to much smaller crowds, and much older crowds than tonight ! But alongside the light and uplifting stuff, they also show moments of fragility and darkness, such as with Mother, which is delivered with genuine emotion.

Issy explains to the crowd this is their first show in Wolverhampton, but she has performed here before. She once played on the pitch at the Molineux before a match.

For me the highlight of their set had to be the stunning Lucky Night a song written about their baby son, before they end their set with London Blues.

I really enjoyed their set. Issy and Archie are incredibly talented and their vocals compliment each other perfectly. As you’d expect as a couple their chemistry on stage is spot on, and creates a fun and enjoyable experience.

Setlist

Dark Side

Better in Yellow

Mother

Flying Visit

Fishing Song

London's Blues

A break to change the stage over, and a trip to the bar for a cold soft drink (its warming up!) and we’re ready for the main event. Right now, there is a wealth of incredibly talented female blues guitarists around, and I’ve been lucky enough to see the likes of Samantha Fish, Erya Lyytinen and Larkin Poe in recent times, and I was excited to see Joanne Shaw Taylor.

Originally from the west Midlands, now living in Nashville, Joanne was first discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and has performed with many well known artists, most notably forging a strong relationship with Jo Bonamassa, whose label has released some of her work. A UK artist breaking through in the US.

This tour follows the release of her latest album “Black & Gold”. Joining her band on stage in a black outfit with gold highlights, they rip right in to the opening track, a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song Stop Messin' Round. It sets the mood immediately, and that broad smile, right across her face shows that JST is just where she LOVES to be – on stage, performing. A new track Hell Of A Good Time from the latest album slots perfectly into the live set, before another cover, this time Two Time My Lovin’ by The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Her blues guitar style is mesmerising and the solos, often a self-indulgence and none of that, and are just delightful displays of exceptional playing that escalate the tracks to another level.

I really enjoyed the track Dyin’ To Know which has a fantastic foot stompin’ country feel to it, with some wonderful mellow vocals overlaid.

Look What I’ve Become (again from Black & Gold) is big and brash, and delivered with power and emotion with some groovy riffs. It’s followed by Grayer Shade Of Blue which switches thing up, being a slower, thoughtful moment in the set.

A surprise is Summertime a cover of the George Gershwin song, with its Hammond Organ tones rippling through it complimenting some crisp and clear picked guitar tones. Over all that wonderful expressive music joanne’s soulful vocals drape beautifully, full of emotion and quiet power. It has that dark, damp ‘speak easy’ vibe going on and I loved it – My track of the night.

The set draws to a close with the pairing of Black Magic and Watch ‘Em Burn which truly highlight her exceptional talents which is as sharp and full of expression as ever, just dripping with rootsy blues tones but with a rock edge that gives her music a unique edge.

We end the night with Change of Heart from 2024’s “Heavy Soul” an uplifting number with an anthemic chorus that has the audience tappin’ or singing along, some standing and waving along.

A thoroughly enjoyable night, an incredible guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor mixes that technical skill, with great song writing, powerful and expressive vocals and a stage presence that is engaging and fun. If you love blues rock guitar, Joanne Shaw Taylor is one NOT to miss !

Setlist

Stop Messin' Round (Fleetwood Mac cover)

Hell of a Good Time

Sweet 'Lil Lies

Two Time My Lovin (The Fabulous Thunderbirds cover)

Dyin' to Know

Wild Love

Look What I’ve Become

Grayer Shade of Blue

I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down

Summertime (George Gershwin cover)

Wicked Soul