I last saw WILDWOOD KIN when they played to a full house at Phoenix Sound Record Shop in Newton Abbot, this exclusive in store show took place a day after they had released their self titled sophomore album and the place was literally fizzing with excitement to catch the ladies showcasing new material from it.

Fast forward a few weeks and I find myself at The Lemongrove which is part of the Exeter University complex where they would be performing a full length live show to their adoring fans.

The new album sounds fresh, honest, natural and this comes through with the utterly impeccable vocal harmonies that the ladies create. After a few listens, you can hear nods to the classics, Simon & Garfunkel, later Fleetwood Mac and even early stage Fleet Foxes which is never a bad thing. 

Their songs cover a multitude of profound themes such as love, loss and spirituality and it is this theme that seems to attract people back to see them time and time again.  

Opening the evening was a tremendous duo called JACOB AND DRINKWATER, the names were familiar and I soon remembered shooting them at Poltimore Festival a couple of years ago. Armed with electric and acoustic guitars and a double bass, they dazzled the audience with some sublime vocal harmonies, heartfelt lyrics and some killer melodies. All in all, a tremendous set, short but oh so sweet!

Next up was Brother/Sister folk/country/Americana duo THE LUCK from London (yes, more siblings!) - Their set consisted of some great tracks lifted from their recently released long player which featured some beautiful vocal harmonies, smooth bass and lush guitar. Max told the room of his time at Exeter University a few years back and was clearly very excited to be here. A tremendous blend of smooth Americana that soothes the soul and feeds the brain.

Then it was time for the main act, the lights dipped, up went a cheer and out strode the girls to take to the stage.

Their set consisted of tracks from the new album as well as older songs that still sounds as fresh today as they did when they were first released. There was a surprise cover version in the form of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ which was stripped right back to bare bones and then filled with some glorious vocal harmonies, tribal beats and gentle guitar which added a completely new look and feel to the classic, I’d be very surprised if this doesn’t make its way onto a TV advert in the near future…. 

Meg showed the audience her makeshift drumsticks, basically regular sticks with black tape wrapped around them in certain places, probably to help them stay in one piece owing to the sheer force that she pounds the drums with. 

The girls were so grateful to the audience for coming to see them and were genuinely humbled at the amount of people that had made the trip out on this cold and wet Thursday evening to see them play at what can be classed as their one and only homecoming show of the tour. 

‘Warrior Daughter’ remains as powerful as it did when first released and was certainly a highlight from the set, pleasing the audience no end. ‘Signals’ was pure heaven with its sublime vocal harmonies and stripped back instrumentation which allowed their angelic voices to drift around the room, creating an almost mesmeric feeling.

Beth’s jumpsuit managed to get a mention midway through the set, she commented and Beth thought she said that she was going to take it off and suggested that it might be better to leave it on a little while longer, at least until they reached the dressing room after the show!

Beth lost her brother to suicide a while back and spent a few minutes telling the room that no matter what state of mind you’re in, there are people out there that love you and care about you and to encourage anyone going through a tough time with mental health issues to reach out and speak to someone about it. ‘Never Alone’ followed this heartfelt speech and was welcomed with applause as they launched into it. 

Beth explained how, in 2015, after saving the money they earned from early gigs, they went to Brighton to record some songs, the result was the ‘Salt of the Earth’ EP which over the years has amassed a few million streams. From the EP, they played ‘Hold On’ which was really well received.

’Time Has Come’ started off with a quick lesson to familiarise the room with the chorus, this started out well but soon morphed into an impromptu version of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ which Beth described as the best thing that has ever happened to her!

After a rather ‘cringey’ photograph the girls launched into ‘Taking a Hold’ and decided to close the set with a very special a cappella version of ‘The Valley’ which consisted of perfect harmonies, deftly picked guitar notes and a roomful of silent fans, watching on with utter joy.

It was a pleasure to see the girls performing to a large audience in their home city and I am sure that there were many in the audience who left the room feeling energised and encouraged that despite the state of the world right now, there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you should have the strength to go about your day with your head held high!

Words Steve Muscutt

Pictures Julian Baird