Zoe Graham

There is always something a bit special when an artist plays a sold-out hometown gig in front of family, friends and fans.
Even more so when said artist was due to play here years ago and Covid had its say, followed by a few years of therapy and a subsequent hiatus. So, a long time coming but worth the extended wait? Oh yes, things change as time goes by and so has Zoe Graham. As she admits, in one of the interactions with the assembled audience the nerves and anxiety of playing are still there but thankfully greatly diminished and a joyful polished performance ensues. SWG3 Poetry Club is a small venue, capacity around 160, with a tiny stage almost at floor level but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for with the intimate feel and that great connect between an adoring crowd, clearly up for a good time and a more than happy artist ensuring they get one. The clapping, whooping and cheering at the end of each song was amongst the loudest (and longest) I’ve heard in my visits here.

Zoe kicked off with her current single “Push & Pull” a song about letting go and seeing where life will take you, upbeat Americana tinged, delivered with aplomb and clearly capturing the new direction she is moving in. All the songs during the set are driven along by Zoe with a very accomplished band in support, something which she takes the time to acknowledge and although Zoe is great as a solo acoustic performer (I know, I’ve seen her!), the current musical direction benefits tremendously from the backing lineup. As we progress, a song highlight is “Evilin” a very catchy, bit quirky, musically packed, vocally commanding performance with more than a nod to her mum. Check out the equally quirky video of it on YouTube if you can! We have a couple of slower numbers mid set, “Stranger Care”, referenced back to the days of therapy and a haunting rendition of “I Only Ever Loved Yous” which held an enthralled audience to the finale. The mood returned to a more upbeat one with “Good Girl” where everyone was encouraged to join in with dog howls, yes, you had to be there but it went down a storm. The last song (pre-encore) was “Divine Feminine Energy” very fitting Zoe! We do get an encore and it’s a nod to her early music, “Hacket & Knackered” re-imagined this time but not forgotten and we all lap it up. The final cheers go on and on and as a very fulfilled audience drifts away, I get a quick word with Zoe, “how was it I ask?” “Brilliant” she replies with a beaming smile and you know what, it was!

Photo credit: The Lakes Studio