Culture Music Live music

Lauren Housley at Sebright Arms

Lauren Housley at Sebright Arms | Live review
Avatar photo
Avatar
Shot by Matthew Pull
Cath Willcox Shot by Matthew Pull

Lauren Housley is overdue on stage for her first-ever London gig at the Sebright Arms, but it’s ok because she’s at the door, selling tickets and welcoming the latecomers with a bright smile. Originally from Rotherham in South Yorkshire but now based in Manchester, Housley exudes northern charm, and it seems as though her family are all in the house tonight to help celebrate the launch of her debut album Sweet Surrender.

The small stage is crammed full with her six-piece backing band,  who are mostly called Chris, sporting long hair and radiating a distinctly corduroy vibe. Not that this counts against them, as they get off to a pleasant stroll-paced start with Nice to See Ya, the first track off Housley’s album and a thankfully Brucie-free zone. The opener has a midwestern feel to it, which morphs into a more soulful sound as they play The Waiting Game and move through further tracks from the album, most of which are of a similar country-blues ilk. The band are tight and Housley’s voice is faultless with power and softness, so what might be lacking in variety is made up for in talent. Radio 2-demographic faces around the room are spread with smiles and Housley in particular seems absolutely chuffed to be here.

The set enters an ambitious covers segment, with a slowed-down version of Jolene that lacks Dolly’s empowerment: while Parton is bargaining to win the situation, Housley’s plea seems to think the battle is already lost. An Eric Clapton-esque guitar solo picks the crowd up, before they launch into Paul Simon’s Graceland, a track that some might consider too sacred to be covered. But they make a sonically pleasing job of it and are well received, moving on into a more funk-inspired phase of the set.

With a repeat of the opening track accompanied by an anecdote about her nan, and then a couple more tracks and a plug for upcoming participation in the Blues Festival, the last few tracks of the set feel unplanned and a bit messy, but the audience gets a real sense of the band’s reluctance to leave the stage. Very likeable and full of talent, Lauren Housley just needs to add some slickness to her production to elevate it from “nice evening” to “remarkable event.”

Cath Willcox
Photos: Matthew Pull

For further information about Lauren Housley and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Ghost Town Blues here:

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ARLf5yYNtI[/embedyt]

More in Live music

Matt Berninger at Troxy

Benedetta Mancusi

All Points East 2025: The Maccabees

Bev Lung

Victorious Festival 2025 Day Three: Kings of Leon

Taryn Crowley

Rally Festival 2025: Floating Points, Porridge Radio, Speaker’s Corner Quartet and more

Ben Browning

Coldplay at Wembley Arena: “Nobody does stadiums like them”

Filippo L'Astorina, the Editor

Victorious Festival 2025 Day One: Queens of the Stone Age, Kaiser Chiefs, Wunderhorse and more

Taryn Crowley

Victorious Festival 2025 Day Two: Vampire Weekend, Circa Waves, Rizzle Kicks and more

Taryn Crowley

The Linda Lindas at Islington Academy

Gem Hurley

BBC Proms 2025: Pappano conducts Puccini and Strauss at the Royal Albert Hall

Cristiana Ferrauti