Jade Helliwell

Tuesday 17th September, Green Note, London. Katy Hurt. Despite attending over eight hundred gigs this is a first time visit to Green Note. What a lovely treat it is. With many small venues closing down in London (RIP The Borderline) it’s nice to be in a cosy sold out show in this Camden institution.

It’s a double header tonight courtesy of Belles and Gals with Emily Faye providing the support for Katy. We are treated to a beautiful stripped back 8ish song set showcasing Emily’s delicate voice ably supported by the super talented Michael Clancy on guitar and backing vocals and George Price on bass.

It’s certainly a special starter for the main course Katy Hurt, again with a stripped back band on acoustic, double bass and Cajon crammed onto the tiny stage. First up though it’s just Katy and another super talented guitarist vocalist Gab Zsapka opening the set as duo. The rhythm section soon joins and set draws heavily from the excellent EP this year ‘Unfinished Business’ with assorted oldies, newbies and a superb cover of the Patsy Cline classic ‘Crazy’.

What’s amazing about Katy is not the superb voice, although it is, but that at only 21 she already has a great set of eighty minutes’ worth of fine songs to delve into plus a few more in her back pocket if she need them

Although a Brit she did live in the US for a time which is where her love of country was nurtured and this does lend authenticity to her sound which I find lacking or insincere in some UK country acts (no names…). There’s more depth and style to her voice and songwriting than the sometimes formulaic garbage produced by some of the aforementioned acts.

Although an acoustic show there’s plenty of room for Gab to showcase his licks and I certainly will catch them again plugged in.

Tricky to pick a highlight tonight such was the quality on offer but the title track of the EP ‘Unfished Business’ was spot on as was ‘Fire’ from previous EP ‘Pieces of Me’.

A fantastically enjoyable night further reinforcing that female country is possibly the most exciting and rewarding genre of music and Katy can certainly stand tall with the likes of Margo Price, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley, Whitney Rose, etc.

Till the next time keep on country rockin y’all