Ward Thomas

Wednesday 19th October. Bush Hall. Ward Thomas. Its night one of three gigs in three days and the first of two at Bush Hall. Tonight its twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy and chums touring off the back of the UK’s first country act number 1 album.

Support tonight is Una Healy of the Saturday’s fame. Once we park any plastic manufactured pop prejudices there is a real talent there. A great voice and some good tunes. Glad we made the effort to get in early. Talking of early it’s an 8.45 main act start tonight. Well it is a school night.

The set draws heavily for the aforementioned album ‘Cartwheels’ which is one of the finest country crossover albums you will hear. It’s a perfect blend of country and pop, ala early Taylor Swift. The harmonies between the sisters are impeccable providing a beautiful sound complementing each other through the range. Catherine with her soulful classic country voice supported by Lizzy with a lispish Stevie Nicks quality.

It’s a perfect set of light and shade, up tempo and slow ones with highlights for me ‘Safe’ and set closer the rocking ‘Town called Ugley’.

The band all seem grounded and humble to be here and let’s hope they don’t lose that with the record company turning them into pop brats. They are destined for big things and I suspect that we won’t be seeing them in a small venue like this again.

A top night in a packed out sweaty Bush Hall.

Keep on country rockin y’all.

This was my second time seeing Ward Thomas live.They were great before about 2 years ago in Exeter but now they have matured into a much more confident and vibrant pair.You can see that they love performing live and the band were brilliant.They are a bit more edgier and rockier than before.Played a few of the great old tracks like Guilty Flowers ,Cartwheels and rocked the house out with A Town Called Ugley.The new album is superb.My fave track like they said themselves changes daily.One More Goodbye and It,s Not Just Me are melodically superb while Lie Like Me,Never Know and No Filter are catchy and edgy.I Believe in You has a Mumford and Son feel about it and I Love Rather Be Breathing which shows their diversity.Would recommend seeing Lizzy and Catherine live to anyone.Would have liked a bit longer set but only because i didnt want it to end.Wandering Hearts were great support.

I have now seen Ward Thomas and Wandering Hearts twice on their current tour. First time at G-Live Guildford and then at last evening at O2 Shepherd's Bush. Both concerts were excellent with Wandering Hearts opening the show with all their better known songs plus a few newer songs and then following the interval Ward Thomas showed how much they have matured in the last two years since I first heard them live. I was pleased they still play some songs without the band but they certainly rock with the band. Well worth travelling to see if you get the chance.

Ward Thomas are an amazing live duo who, with their band, performed an exceptional show at Cottingham Folk Festival. A small more intimate venue which allowed them to interact with the audience and they excelled. They are about to release their 3rd album and they previewed a number of new songs all of which were brilliant so cannot wait for the CD release. They were also supported by the excellent Sarah Darling, Laura Oakes and Kerri Watts.

These girls are awesome. Their natural sisterly (twinly?) harmonies are a delight to hear. Their songs are uplifting and heartfelt. They have a cracking band behind them and a loving audience in front of them. The show at Shepherd's Bush Empire was an hour and a quarter of sheer bliss. Still as charming as they ever were, Catherine and Lizzy go from strength to strength!

What a great show ! Ward Thomas are very talented writers and performers. They also took time after the show to speak to their fans, sign CDs and have photos taken. A class act. I would recommend their show to anyone.

I saw Ward Thomas for the first time at the IOW festival. Reduced me to happy tears when they sang a bob Dylan song. Don't know the name but i was truly moved. Cannot wait to see you again.

Deborah Wagstaff

The ladies have great voices. They started the set with no musical accompaniment and it was really impressive. Looking forward to seeing them in concert in Liverpool at a smaller venue.

Yet another knock out show by the lovely sisters Catherine and Lizzie. its a pity the set wasn't a little bit longer. cant wait to see them again in Cambridge and hopefully York!!!