aaamusic | On 09, May 2013

Wednesday 8th May

It’s sometimes said that critically acclaimed Thea Gilmore is one of the few British world class female singer-songwriters. She took a break after the birth of her second son, in the summer of 2011, but remains a determined and committed workaholic.

This evening she was supported by talented Welsh artist Al Lewis and mainly sang songs from her new album Regardless, that she jokingly referred to as ‘that difficult 14^th album’.

Thea’s beautiful Love Came Looking For Me, released in March,  became Radio 2 single of the week and Beautiful Hopeful from her Beginners EP was strong and vibrant. The refreshing London, often used by the BBC for their Olympics coverage, was taken from ambitious Don’t Stop Singing, a posthumous collaboration with Sandy Denny. With charm and versatility she sang one of ‘seven hundred ways to sing the blues’ in You’re The Radio.

With a confident, distinctive voice Thea Gilmore humorously talked of her ‘inner Belinda Carlisle’ and her assertive personality clearly emerged. Her songs are wise and thoughtful. She continues to stun with great honesty and maturity, though her lyrics are sometimes sharp and dark. Thea has a reputation for being fiercely independent and her latest musical journey has its own individual style helped by a lively and impressive band and string section.

Anthony Weightman