Honey Ryder - Shipping Forecast, Liverpool (UK) - 12th July 2013

One of the hottest days of the year finds me in Liverpool, sat in the sunshine having a beer and watching life go by, passing time until the doors to the venue allow entry. This is my first experience of a gig at the Shipping Forecast, somewhere I visit regularly for a drink whenever in Liverpool. The concert room is actually underneath the pub in what seems to be a converted cellar and despite the humidity acts as the perfect setting for an intimate acoustic show.

Honey Ryder's set is actually semi-acoustic as guitarists Jason Huxley and Matt Bishop are both plugged in and amped up. Lead singer Lindsay O'Mahoney is 7 months pregnant so I'm guessing the heat must have proved uncomfortable at times. If there are any problems they are un-noticeable because she seems totally relaxed, is more than amiable and didn't miss a note throughout the whole performance. Husband Jon lays down the beat from the back and even though the room is small and the ceiling low the sound has great clarity emphasizing how tight a unit Honey Ryder are in the live environment.

A third album is in the process of being recorded and the new songs we are treated to nestle in seamlessly alongside more recognizable favourites, the poignant 'Orange Tree' and dreamy 'Worlds Away', for me anyway, being particular highlights taken from the 'Marley's Chains' CD. The music, setting and atmosphere (and alcohol) generated a chilled out vibe that fills the room and though I was initially disappointed at the size of the audience it would have proved rather difficult to see anything had there been more people there. Staying for the 'You Can't Say That' encore means the intended train home is missed but it is a small inconvenience to protract the night's entertainment and enjoyment.

This short UK tour is the ideal showcase for Honey Ryder's brand of country/pop stylings and also the perfect accompaniment to a warm Summer night, just a shame the gig hadn't been outdoors. I've never seen the band play live before but I was more than impressed and will be checking the website regularly, once Lindsay is back in action after the birth of the baby, for the next tour. I will continue to champion the HR cause and protestations remain that they would go down a storm at Firefest.

Dave Bott