Joanne Shaw Taylor

Blues-rock star Joanne Shaw Taylor and her powerhouse band hit the stage with songs from her brand-new album, Black & Gold as she concluded the UK leg of the tour at the historic Cadogan Hall in London’s vibrant Chelsea district.

The venue, steeped in elegance, was alive with eager blues enthusiasts, their anticipation palpable as they filled the hall to witness the British blues-rock virtuoso in action. Known for her blazing guitar work and soulful voice, Joanne fuses blues, rock, soul, and pop into an unforgettable live performance.

The evening also included fan favourites from past albums and nods to blues greats. Widely regarded as one of today’s most electrifying live acts, Joanne delivered an unforgettable night of musical brilliance.

Her renditions of Fleetwood Mac’s “Stop Messin’ Round,” Gershwin’s haunting “Summertime,” and Johnny Mathis’ emotive “Wild Is the Wind” were delivered with raw passion and technical precision, each note infused with her signature grit and soul. These covers seamlessly intertwined with her own catalogue, including fan favourites and the poignant “Grayer Shade of Blue” from Black and Gold, which highlighted her evolving artistry and lyrical depth.

Ty Bailie’s excellent Hammond and electric keyboard playing was given a prominent space in the sound balance.

Kicking off with ‘Stop Messin’ Round’ from The Blues Album and its distinctively waspish opening guitar licks. The band immediately locked into a groove and the guitarist let rip with a powerfully fluid solo, her long blonde hair flying around as she dug into the notes. The riff heavy ‘Hell Of A Good Time’ followed. This featured some rasping slide from second guitarist Shane Sanders.

The more memorable of her own numbers included ‘Grayer Shade Of Blue’, and ‘Dying To Know’, also from her Wild album.

The evening ended with two songs from either end of the artist’s catalogue, the normal set finishing with the chunky riffing of ‘Watch ‘Em Burn’ from her debut album White Sugar back in 2009, followed by an encore of ‘Change Of Heart’ from last year’s Heavy Soul album.

Her guitar prowess was on full display, her fingers dancing across the fretboard with a blend of ferocity and finesse that held the audience captive. The intimate setting of Cadogan Hall amplified the emotional weight of her performance, drawing listeners into every soulful wail and searing riff. The heartfelt encore left the crowd buzzing with admiration.

This was a testament to her status as a leading light in modern blues-rock, effortlessly bridging classic influences with contemporary flair.