Critically acclaimed singer-songwriters Jamie Lawson, Gemma Hayes, Richard Walters and Laura Zocca join forces for a special acoustic round show, unlike any other gig you will go to this year. Each artist will perform a song, followed by the next act, the show will move around from artist to artist, like a tag team of traditional singing troubadours! The show will feature familiar songs plus original brand new music from each of the acts.
Jamie Lawson was the first signing to Ed Sheeran’s label Gingerbread Man Records in 2015. That same year he released his self-titled third album, featuring the international hit Wasn’t Expecting That, which has to this day been streamed over 250 million times. The album hit #1 in 26 countries. Since then, Jamie has won an Ivor Novello Award for ‘Best Song Musically and Lyrically’, gone on a stadium tour with Ed Sheeran playing 52 dates throughout Europe and continued to tour extensively, most recently as support on the critically acclaimed Deacon Blue UK Tour.
As I said above, Jamie will be joined by Gemma Hayes, Richard Walters and Laura Zocca on the road but it was Jamie we chatted to about how the show will work, accommodation on the road, venues they’re performing in and the possibility of a solo Jamie Lawson tour. For all of this and much more, read on…..
‘An Acoustic Round’ will be touring the country soon taking in many places including Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter, Cardiff, London and Bristol, which places are you most looking forward to?
I live in Manchester now so hopefully I’ll have some friends along for that one. It’ll be the first night of the tour and I don’t think any of us have done shows like this before so I’m not overly certain how it’s going to go. I have a feeling each night will be quite different depending on the songs we play so I’m looking forward to all of them to be honest.
The venues look pretty amazing too, you’ll be playing in the Union Chapel in London which is an incredible building, have you played there before? Any other venues that you’re excited about?
I’ve been lucky enough to play there a couple of times. I’ve seen some of my favourite shows ever at Union Chapel. I saw Bjork with The Brodsky Quartet, Mark Eitzel and Patty Griffin there, so I’m very aware of how special it is. I think The Stables in Milton Keys is a lovely venue too. I played there once with the brilliant Judie Tzuke and had a great gig.
You’ll be joined by Gemma Hayes, Richard Walters & Laura Zocca, have you shared the stage with these artists before?
I’ve known Gemma for over 20 years now which is actually very hard to believe but I don’t think we’ve ever done a show together before. Richard came on tour with me a few years back which was great. I’ve never seen Laura play so I’m very excited to hear her sing. I love her voice and think she has some amazing songs.
Will you be on a tour bus or staying in hotels every night? I like to think of you all chugging up the motorway after a show, tucked up in your bunks….
We’ll all be in the same van but I think we’re hotel-ing it. Thankfully. I’m not the best sleeper when it comes to tour busses.
The show has been advertised as ‘each artist performing a song, followed by the next act, the show will move around from artist to artist, like a tag team of traditional singing troubadours!’ – Will all artists be on stage at the same time to avoid wasting time bringing them on after every song?
Exactly that. We’ll all be on stage listening to the other acts as they perform, sometimes joining in with a harmony or guitar part and sometimes getting to be a fan. I can’t believe how lucky I am that I get to sit so close and listen.
You’re currently writing a new song, can we expect to hear it on the tour?
I’d like to play a couple of new songs for sure. It’d be good to do some road testing, see what reaction they get. I may even try a different one out every night. That’s the good thing about touring before a record comes out, you’ll get to hear an immediate reaction. Often the ones you’re not so sure about get a great reaction and sometimes, of course, it’s vice versa.
You commented on social media about the date (22/02/2022) which as I’m sure you’re aware is a palindrome, here’s a challenge for you, use a palindrome to name the new song, I’ll give you some ideas….’taco cat’, ‘race car’ or ‘Mr. Owl ate my metal worm’ (read it backwards, amazing!)
Moor Room. It could be based on an Agatha Christie novel. I might actually write that one.
Will you be holding any rehearsals for ‘An Acoustic Round’ to ensure that you don’t over run etc? or will you be flying by the seat of your pants?
We will get together in a week or so to do some filming and promo so they’ll be a little bit of rehearsing then but otherwise, yep, it’s all seat of the pants.
What do you enjoy most about performing in front of a live audience?
I’ve always felt very safe on a stage, very at home, very much like that’s where I was supposed to be. I look forward to finding those moments that will only happen once, those rare moments that only you and those in the room share. It can be anything from a quietness to a joke or a loving heckle, but those moments are my favourite.
‘An Acoustic Round’ is a great way to see a number of artists perform on the same stage on the same night, are you planning any solo shows for 2022 for your hardcore fans?
I’d like to think so but it very much depends on how the record comes along. I have enough songs to record it and I’m pretty happy with them, but I’m not quite sure how to go about the recording process yet. So that’s what I’m exploring at the moment. Fingers crossed.
What about festivals, there must be some that have confirmed?
As far as I know, none. So if anyone needs me I’m right here.
Lastly, would you rather be able to fly or communicate with animals?
Communicate with animals I think. Imagine what you might learn….. Plus I loved the Doctor Dolittle books as a kid.
We’d like to thank Jamie Lawson for taking the time to chat to us and we wish him every success for the future. Here are the dates when Jamie Lawson and co will be on the road, do your best to get to a show as by the sounds of things, it’s going to be a night to remember, for all the right reasons!
MON 16 MAY MANCHESTER, STOLLER HALL [TICKETS]
TUE 17 MAY BIRMINGHAM, THE MILL [TICKETS]
WED 18 MAY MILTON KEYNES, THE STABLES [TICKETS]
THU 19 MAY EXETER, PHOENIX [TICKETS]
FRI 20 MAY WIMBORNE, TIVOLI [TICKETS]
SUN 22 MAY CARDIFF, TRAMSHED [TICKETS]
MON 23 MAY LONDON, UNION CHAPEL [TICKETS]
TUE 24 MAY BEXHILL, DE LA WARR PAVILION [TICKETS]
WED 25 MAY BRISTOL, ST GEORGE’S HALL [TICKETS]
THU 26 MAY BURY ST EDMONDS, APEX [TICKETS]
