LIVE: Jo Rose - The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch 04.02.15

After making his mark on Manchester’s music scene over the last few years with an authentic take on Anglo-American nu-folk, Jo Rose finished 2014 with a “soft release” of his debut album, Spurs, and a support slot for First Aid Kit’s European tour under his belt. With a sell-out crowd for his first London headlining show, and plans underway for album #2, 2015 looks set to top that.

While he has a full-band set up for his LP, tonights show is an acoustic one, with Jo alone on stage for the majority of the set, only joined by his “better half” (First Aid Kit member Klara) for closer, ‘Mary’s Dress’. Despite this, and a naturally shy presence, he commands the crowd for the majority of the show with intricately woven tales, skipping from the central core of the song to a slow, silent moment – complete with a Manc/Southern (American) twang – as he sees fit.

“It’s difficult to judge the crowd at acoustic gigs,” he admits early in the set, though clearly content with playing regardless of the reaction, “If this was a punk gig I’d judge it by how hurt you were.” For the most part, however, the majority of the audience are drawn in by his own hurt, as Jo admits, “I like writing sad songs.” ‘Blue Eyes’ is slowed-down, Dylan-esque storytelling, while ‘River Reflection’ is a rich, Fleet Foxy fix, with the majority of the scene recreated despite being the only artist on the task this time around.

When mesmerised by the lyrics, and Rose’s vocals – strong even when they’re heart-wrenchingly strained – it’s easy to forget what an accomplished guitarist he is. A cover of Elliot Smith’s ‘Angeles’ (decided by an audience vote, between this and a Flaming Lips number) segues effortlessly into the set, with both singer/songwriters masters of textured tales; paper thin yet ocean deep, and filled with honesty and emotion.

While it’s only natural to want to hear these tracks backed by his band, Jo Rose and his guitar offer an intriguing appetiser into what’s to come this year.

Dan Bull

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Dan Bull

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London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."