Black Country, New Road live at The Observatory Orange Country during their 'Forever Howlong' tour
Black Country, New Road (BCNR) first came to my attention after appearing on a Mojo Magazine compilation CD with their debut single 'Sunglasses' way back in 2019. The song made me stop in my tracks. Spoken word, Post-Punk, Jazz, Art Rock, Folk - what is this cacophony of sounds and influences that shouldn't, strictly speaking, gel, but somehow does? The CD also featured other bands, Black Midi and Dry Cleaning, that heralded a new batch of hard to define, genre bending and exciting bands coming out of the UK. Then the pandemic happened. And I also no longer had a CD player.
Flash forward six years later with four albums under their belt and some line up changes, it was great to see BCNR plying their wares at the Observatory Orange County in Santa Ana, California. They opened with 'For The Cold Country' which kind of set the tone for the night with May Kershaw tinkling the ivories and singing beautifully alongside harmonizing by Georgia Ellery (of electro duo Jockstrap no less) and Tyler Hyde. It was haunting stuff.
Alongside the leftfield nature of the music, everything else about BCNR is also highly original. I liked the dynamic of the three female leads - stood center stage at the front - backed by the three male band members behind, a formation that remained throughout the gig. This band has musical chops. You can tell they have been to music school and know a Diminished Major Seventh from an F Sharp 7. The song arrangements are complex. Baroque Pop with a nod to Art Rock via Folk and a quick stop at the Jazz cafe. Did I mention the multi-instrumentalism? Bass, banjo, acoustic guitar, drums, violin, piano, electric guitar, recorder, saxophone and an accordion all got an airing. Members switched instruments, alternated on lead vocals and illustrated enough willingness to swap to keep any suburban swingers party fresh. I even saw the drummer pick up and play his banjo behind the drum kit.
The set was closed with 'Forever Howling' which much like the opener, saw May Kershaw's incredible voice soar through the room as she played the accordion. The rest of the band had at this stage picked up recorders and faced her as she sat stage right. The eclectic crowd were enraptured. I felt a warm feeling that fellow fans were still also hunting out and being moved by unique and genre-splicing music in mid-2025.
SETLIST
For the Cold Country
Salem Sisters
The Big Spin
Besties
Two Horses
Mary
Nancy Tries to Take the Night
Goodbye (Don't Tell Me)
Happy Birthday
Forever Howlong
TOUR DATES
May 22 Thu - The Warfield - San Francisco, CA, United States
May 23 Fri - Roseland Theater = Portland, OR, United States
May 24 Sat - Moore Theatre = Seattle, WA, United States
For more information on Black Country, New Road and upcoming concerts, visit their website.
Coverage by Martin Woster // Instagram: @martinwosterphotography
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