Stephen Kellogg LIVE @ Night & Day Cafe, Manchester 27.9.13

Located in the Northern Quarter of the City lies the unassuming bar Night & Day. Its ‘in the round’ stage (I use the term loosely because it’s only open on two sides) is perfect for intimate gigs whether they are novice artists or well-seasoned American musicians on their first UK tour. Stephen Kellogg is the latter.

Stephen Kellogg is the epitome of Americana. A hard-working example of a musician who has been busy recording, touring across the world and
juggling family life. Kellogg bounded onto centre stage with a big grin as he opened the performance with “Satisfied Man”. If you’ve not heard this gent before, you really should check him out.

Kellogg has been compared to a multitude of heavyweights including Dylan, Helm, Tom Petty, Ryan Adams and even Springsteen.  Make no
mistake he is not trying to be anyone else. His brand of Americana is Country-Folksy-Rock with honest and emotive lyrics which he manages to
achieve without too much sentimentality.

Both “Gravity” and “Start The Day Early” were foot-tappingly butt-shakingly good and it was clear the Manchester audience really loved this song about Moonshine. He continued that momentum with “The Brain is a Beautiful Thing” which is from his new album ‘Blunderstone Rookery’. Kellogg entertained the crowd by interspersing songs with life stories, tales of being on the road and inspirations for his songs. “I Don’t Want to Die on the Road” was perhaps relevant to how Kellogg currently feels because whilst the song contains celebratory lyrics it also laments the life of a travelling musician.

The modest Manchester audience couldn’t compete with the sell-out Webster Hall show in NYC but Kellogg still engaged them with relaxed
ease, quick witted banter and a heartfelt performance.

Set List

1.      Satisfied Man
2.      Shady Esperanto
3.      Forgive you/Forgive Me
4.      4th July
5.      Lost and Found
6.      The Brain is a Beautiful Thing
7.      Men and Women
8.      Start The Day Early
9.      I Don’t Want to Die on the Road
10.     We Belong Here
11.     Such A Way
12.     Gravity
13.     Thanksgiving
14.     See You Later See You Soon