The Liverpool Arts club was the venue for Will Varley’s 3rd on live show since 2019 and he has comeback in spectacular fashion.
Support for tonight’s show was Jess Guise, the lead singer in the London 4-piece band Guise. They have just released their new album “Youngest daughter” and tonight was a solo rendition of some of those songs.
With a set consisting of new and old songs, Jess’s vocals filled the room as the crowd gathered round. She showed no nerves as she performed her 8 song set. Jess performed her recently release song “Don’t come back“. A song which deals with the hardship that comes with being apart from someone you love. The emotional lyrics and smooth vocals join together seamlessly.
“High enough” is the obligatory lockdown song but as Jess says, every artist is allowed one lockdown song. An upbeat track about being locked in which brings smiles to the faces in the crowd. Who says lockdown had to be miserable?
Jess finishes her set on “Brother in arms“. A gorgeous, heartfelt song about her father who sadly passed suddenly when she was 18 and for her brother who went through it with her. Named from the Dire Straits song (her father was a huge fan) and played on her father’s guitar, you could sense the emotions this song evoked in Jess as she paid tribute.
Jess’s folk songs are soft and gentle, and her voice is reminiscent of many great female vocalists, but she provides a unique and original sound, and it should not be too long before she headlines gigs like this.
Will Varley enters the stage like a lost time traveller. Armed with a guitar, he looks around at the crowd. Bemused by the lights and acting confused as to what has brought him here tonight.
Going straight into 3 tracks back-to-back, the crowd listen on intently. Will may not have toured for a while, but he has not lost the ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand.
Suddenly, the time traveller awakes, and he is in fine fettle. His association with Liverpool is heartfelt and that comes through in his interaction with the audience.
Songs such as “Colour TV“, “The man who fell to Earth” and “Statues” highlight the genius of Will’s lyrics and how he has
the ability to make you think and hang off his every word.
The set ended on the crowd pleasing and rip-roaring “Seize the night” and “King for a king“.
He finished the night by saying how much he has missed touring, how much he has missed standing up and singing and most of all, how he has missed the people. Judging by the crowd, they missed you too. Alot!