"Emilia's Songbook: A Symphony of Emotions Across Five Nights"
How do you sum up an epic 5-date journey with the incredible artist Emilia Quinn? We'll start with a little backstory as to why we embarked on this entire tour. Another blogger, Me (from Hope it's Country), and I had a chat a few years ago. We both agreed that if Emilia Quinn ever did a full UK tour, we would both commit to completing it. I've known Emilia for a number of years, witnessing her growth and supporting her throughout. Between Me and Hope it's Country, we've seen her live at least 100 times. Two years ago, we made a pact that if she ever went on tour, we would do the whole thing.
Night one in London kicked off with a fully packed room, including many of my regular gig friends. Eddy Smith started the night with his blues and soul tracks, and Savannah Gardner brought the outlaw country vibes. Then, it was time for the headline set. The excitement was palpable from the first note, and the crashing in of the band was a rare treat. Seeing Emilia with a full band is always special.
"On the Run" opened the night perfectly, a rocking number that introduced new fans to her with the band. It was followed by "River," a bluesy powerhouse that showcased Emilia's epic vocals. The crowd was in awe of her stage presence, cheering loudly to match the energy she brought to the room.
"Outlaw" came next, and she motioned for those familiar with her work to sing along. The crowd enthusiastically joined in. I'll pick up the review and break down the set in Birmingham, the next venue. However,
other song worth noting in this set is "On of you," which has become my favorite since hearing it on the tour with the band. I get quite emotional just listening to it, as it reminds me so much of the tour.
"Mountains" was a moment for Emilia to showcase herself, a powerful solo performance. It was the first time I got emotional during the set, but that was expected. The recorded versions always move me, and hearing it live for only the third time was a truly powerful moment.
"Girl Talk" was joined by the support act Savannah Gardner for a full-on vibe moment, and "Backroads" brought the set to a close with a standing ovation.
What a set and opening night! Emotions were high as we looked forward to the next four nights. Off to Birmingham we went after leaving the venue two-plus hours later, on a hunt for water before landing in our sleeping spot for the night.
Night two in Birmingham, landing in the mid-afternoon, marked the start of the Mo Ho sessions. The idea was spawned from being around four industry folks on the road. Rob Thomas was the first guest to join us, followed by Lean Brumffet. Before the show, we were graced by the superstar herself, Emilia Quinn, for a Mo Ho session. You can watch it here.
The Hair and Hounds was the venue for the night. Matt Hodges opened the show, arguably one of the finest male voices in UK country, and Red Burn Wood brought the epic stripped-down full band.
Emilia's headline set once again filled the room. Continuing the set review, "Mistakes" was a real edgy rock number perfected with the band, featuring a sneaky guitar cover leading into "One of You." It's probably the hardest song for a certain person to hear, given its special and tender nature. The addition of John Doyle' vocals worked exceptionally well, bringing people to tears every night.
Moving on to "Magpie," the song opened each night with John showcasing his epic guitar skills, leading into a full-on rock-out moment.
"Daddy's Girl" came next, a song about the battles of women making it in the industry. It's my favorite song of Emilia off the album, and the fast-pacedness of it led to Emilia's first breakdown moment of the set. Time to slow it down for a few songs.
"Let It Burn" was a powerful vocal presence song showcasing her range and the slowed-down sentiment of the song. Now on to "Mountains," the first and only moment where she is solo. The back story to why she is solo is that the recording of this song in the studio had a drum next to the piano, so they were unable to track both of them together at the same time. Upon re-entering the sound booth, the band said they were only going back in that room to sweep up the tears. Every night, this was such a special moment, the presence she gives off during this part of the set. We will continue the setlist review in Manchester.
More standout moments from the set, this time during "Girl Talk." Emilia was joined by Tom from Wood Burn Red, complete with a blond wig. lol
"Backroads" was another special moment, as it was every night. With the lights from the crowd, you could clearly see the emotion coming out. What a moment!
The dedication she gave to her manager, Donna, on "Keep Digging," was special. Donna's assistance and the goals she is achieving with her were not done. Emilia jokingly said she'd glue herself to Donna if she had to, recalling the surprise performance of the song at Buckle and Boots and the promise never to do it again. She won't, she added, amidst laughter from the crowd. I mean, she should probably just release it as the Donna song.
Back to the Mo Ho, we had a visit from Guy Surtees for a Mo Ho session, followed by a one-hour drive to find our spot for the night.
Night three in Manchester, a quick pit stop before heading there to pick up our group friend Dawn from Country Music Avenue. She's a great supporter of artists, writing some incredible reviews. This was also a milestone moment for her after surgery, with the goal of getting to this show.
Before heading to the venue, we had a visit to Mo Ho from Chloe Chadwick. Now, on to Gorilla, the venue. Chloe Chadwick opened the show with her country vibes, and Eddy Smith was the second support act, bringing more power and presence.
Continuing the setlist review, "Head Rush" was a reworked version, a bluesy take that stood out, slowed down but with incredible live vocal presence in the room.
Next up, "Nothing to Lose," a full band rocky edge number reworked to amp it up. This album and its full-on in-your-face band number were epic.
"Keep Digging" came next, effectively known to me as the Donna song. It's another piano-based start with powerful and a message in the song.
“Mountains” an powerful moment in this venue
The setlist review will continue in Glasgow; the whole room was packed out again. After the show, we had no mo ho visitors.
Night four in Glasgow, the longest leg of the journey. We arrived quite late, but we managed to fit Erin Ponsonby in for a Mo Ho session, joined by the one and only Dodie, Scotland's legend. On to the gig, Audio in Glasgow. Red Hearted Vibrations opened the show with full-on harmonies and vibing songs, and Robyn Red, the Scottish superstar, brought her perfect vocals.
Continuing the setlist review, "Mr. Shame," the last single, was another full-on band number with excellent moments for Emilia and John to vibe out together. This song was being filmed foran upcoming music video around the tour.
"Rosary Beads" came next, a song about her grandad. This song, night after night, caused people to well up. It's such a tender and special song dedicated to certain people on the tour and to anyone who has ever lost someone.
"Girl Talk" came next, the massive hit recorded with a shed load of artists during the pandemic. Every night, this was a great song outro, high-energy and full of guests. After this, it was on to
"High," a perfect song to supposedly end, slowing down and leading to high energy to finish. The setlist review will continue in Leeds, the final night.
After the set, we had two Mo Ho sessions with Katie Whittaker and Robyn Red.
The final night in Leeds, a brief pit stop to take some photos at the Angel of the North. We had a banner for the tour and took photos at various locations. We arrived quite late, so no chance for any Mo Ho sessions. It was time for Leeds Hyde Park Book Club. The openers were Chris Dobey, who brought the real country vibes, and Dylan Brierley a singer-songwriter with powerful vocals and presence. Very new to the scene, I was both looking forward to this show and sad, as it was the final night of the tour. But it was a hometown show, and the singing at points was very loud.
The final two songs in the setlist review were the sneaky encore after the loud cheering each night for her to come back on. She mentioned that there were two songs missing that we hadn’t played, and they're off the album.
"In My Boots" was a powerhouse vocal moment with the stomp and clap running throughout, and the vocal and stage presence it gave off live was truly magical. Now, on to the final song of the setlist review and the tour,
"Backroads." What a track to end each night, such a poignant song with a story behind it. The lights on the phones came on, and you could see she was getting slightly emotional. For me and for her, I'm bawling at this moment. It's all coming to an end, thank-yous to the band from her, and what a tour it's been. Loads of standout moments in this set, with lots of crowd singing along.
The whole tour was outstanding, and what a treat to see an artist of this caliber for so many nights. I'd do it all again next week and every week thereafter. The way the setlist was worked is just perfect, bringing you in with high energy and then bringing you down for those tender moments and reworked versions, leaving those two album songs for last. What a way to end from this incredible superstar in the making. There's a reason why I've been championing her for years. She should be so proud of what she has achieved with the tour and album. I believe she has always wanted to organize every part of her first-ever headline tour. The hard work she must have put in to get this tour organized. I will be there for the next tour and the one after, and after that, she won't be playing smaller venues like this for that long. So I urge you to catch her now while you can in a smaller setting; you really won't be disappointed.
It was excellent to be joined by Voice of a Woman & British Country Music Show along for the ride, and on two nights joined by Country Music Avenue & Doddies Chromedome Photography, the Countrymusic6 & Tamography. What a pleasure to be on this content journey, shooting every night, seeing you get emotional at songs. It shows how well connected the two of you are.
Catch the Mo Ho Sessions weekly for the next 8 weeks posted to youtube and all podcast platforms just search mo ho sessions or find them posted on Facebook too
