Ally Venable & Support at the Norwich Waterfront 12th September
Review by John Rawstron
Garret T. Willie
Kicking things off into a electrifying dimension was Canadian blues phenomenon Garret T. Willie, whose support set proved to be far more than a mere warm-up. From the moment he took the stage, Willie brought a raw, authentic energy that immediately demanded attention, offering a compelling showcase of contemporary blues talent and setting the atmosphere beautifully for what lay ahead.
There was a real sense that the evening had begun in earnest during Willie’s set. His distinctive presence, musicianship and unmistakable blues sensibility created an absorbing mood, drawing the audience into the spirit of the night while simultaneously raising expectations for the headline performance. Rather than simply filling the slot before Venable, Willie made it his own, delivering a set that felt like an essential part of the evening’s musical journey.
It was a superb introduction to a night centred on the vitality of modern blues, and Willie’s performance undoubtedly helped establish the high standard that followed. By the time Venable took to the stage, the bar had already been set impressively high and the evening was shaping up to be something genuinely memorable.
Ally Venable
Texas blues-rock powerhouse Ally Venable stormed into Norwich, bringing her electrifying guitar work, soulful vocals and unmistakable live energy to The Adrian Flux Waterfront Studio.
From the moment she hit the stage, Venable demonstrated exactly why she has become such an exciting force in contemporary blues-rock. Her guitar playing was fiery, expressive and effortlessly powerful, shifting from searing blues licks to muscular rock riffs while her vocals delivered every line with grit, soul and conviction.
There was a sense throughout the set that this was an artist completely at home on stage confident, charismatic and clearly relishing every opportunity to connect with the crowd.
The intimate Waterfront Studio proved an ideal setting for Venable’s larger-than-life performance. Her guitar tone filled the room, giving the songs plenty of punch while still leaving space for the subtleties of her playing to shine through. Whether unleashing a blistering solo or settling into a more soulful groove, she kept the momentum high and the audience firmly in the palm of her hand.
Ultimately, this was far more than a straightforward blues-rock gig. It was a showcase for the vitality, attitude and sheer excitement that artists like Ally Venable are bringing to the genre.
