‘What a performance, what a voice’ - Gaz Coombes at SWX in Bristol, review

‘Feel Loop (Lizard Dream) is so damn groovy and infectious it’s dangerous’
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A sunny walk through a bustling Bristol for a much-anticipated Gaz Coombes gig. As the sun bathed the city l I met friends and we got their early to catch support act Lonelady.

Fueled this time by a superb pizza from The Lanes, we were ready and excited - and very much enjoyed the opening act, whose electonic synths warmed up an already lively crowd at SWX.

I last saw Lonelady back in 2021 touring her Former Things album, an album I’d listened to on repeat. I was happy to get my friends there early to too as they seemed to enjoy her short but punchy show.

If Hinterland isn’t enough to win over some new fans I dont know what is. This was a Lone Telecaster Attack; a solo show with just a telecaster and laptop and that’s all she needed. If you were looking for a perfect introduction to her music this was it; half an hour of power. I didn’t want her to stop.

Time for Gaz!

The crowd had grown to form a forcefield around the stage and thankfully we were in prime position surrounded by Gaz Coombes super fans. Gaz runs on to stage all smiles and cheek bones showing and thanking the loud Friday night crowd.

“Bristol it’s really good to see you!” 

Gaz opened with Overnight Trains which is also the album opener which I’ve been listening to for the last week and loving. These songs take on new life live, especially this one. He had me transfixed, gazing and swaying. I have to say I was in shock at how good Gaz’s voice was. He seemed buzzing to play his new album and the crowd was lapping it up singing along like it had been out for years and not months.

Gaz Coombes came to Bristol’s SWX on April 28 as part of his European tourGaz Coombes came to Bristol’s SWX on April 28 as part of his European tour
Gaz Coombes came to Bristol’s SWX on April 28 as part of his European tour

When you start hearing random shrieks and you don’t know where they come from, that’s always a good sign. Feel Loop (Lizard Dream) is so damn groovy and infectious it’s dangerous. The stage is filled with full band and choir The Roxys sing dance and inject their own unique energy using what can only be described as musical pumpkin. I’m not sure what was going on there but it worked and made me smile.

The Girl Who Fell To Earth was a show stopper, jaw dropper and tear jerker.  Written about his daughter who has autism it felt like a celebration of her spirit.

As Gaz put it: “We could learn alot from her”. A special moment and an emotional performance. What a song. There’s plenty more where that came from too as Gaz spins around the stage giving it all he’s got and the Roxy’s choir dance in perfect unison toDetriot and 20/20.

Walk the Walkends the set as a perfect set closer with the obvious intention of an encore where Matador grabs you spins you around as gentle pop classic before English Ruse picks up the tempo along with crowd who are now in raptures.

It all feels very positive as I turn to see so many smiles all over SWX. What a performance, what a voice, he’s on my must see again list for sure.

Related topics: