Chantel McGregor –
John Peel Centre, Stowmarket, Thursday 20th February, 2025
Setlist: Burn Your Anger/Killing Time/Eternal Dream/Crazy Little Voodoo/I Can’t Make You Love Me/ Freefalling/Inconsolable/Anesthetise/Cat Song/I’m No Good For You/Walk On Land/ Lose Control /Creep/ April.
Encore: Take The Power/Purple Rain.
This was the perfect reason to visit the John Peel Centre for the first time. Who could possibly be better to see than this goddess from Yorkshire! She pours her heart and soul into her music which she sprinkles with magic and an endearing smile.
Chantel may come across as the girl next door but her brand of blues is simply from another planet! Her guitar sings effortlessly as she teases its strings with expertise, her fingers at one with her instrument. Then you have that voice, powerful yet fragile at the same time. Chantel has a magnetic mesmerising gentle presence which embraces those in attendance.
The John Peel Centre is a small but perfectly formed venue, just like our Singer. The gig starts with ‘Burn Your Anger’. From the off, Thom Gardner and Jake Dickens provide the perfect rhythm section. Dickens on bass certainly manages some manic expressions.
I managed to get a copy of the set list but I think the order is not how it was played, I could be wrong but to be honest who cares it was all just great. The heart wrenching ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ sees our Guitarist do a scintillating solo which has me staring in awe.
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‘Freefalling’ is offered next, it gives some emotional respite before the quite magnificent ‘Inconsolable’ my personal favourite of Chantel’s catalogue of masterful songs. It is not quite as epic as I have witnessed on previous occasions as it lacks keyboards (something I will get to later). But it is still utterly compelling.
How do you follow the intensity of the previous 10 minutes? Chantel doesn’t try. Instead, out comes the acoustic as Gardner & Dickens take a break and our star delights us with ‘Anaesthetise’ complete with a sublime solo before ‘Cat Song’ which leaves goosebumps and has me purring.
Unusually, we get a short interlude as the band take a break. In most circumstances this interval would break momentum, but tonight I just use the facilities and grab a beer. As she returns, we quickly get back into full on electric intensity, the whole show feels so intimate. When it’s time for ‘Creep’ Chantel looks momentarily confused, the set list reads ‘Creep’ piano/vox but there is no piano! She teases us before playing it anyway.
‘April’ ends the main set in spectacular fashion. It is 10 minutes of mind-blowing musicianship. In my opinion, Chantel McGregor should already be a megastar. Seeing her close–up and personal in these smaller venues is something of a joy. It is all so honest and pure. Do not miss her tour in June! Much bigger venues beckon! You have been warned!
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Without leaving the stage we get a two-song encore with things coming to a close with ‘Purple Rain’: a blistering cover of the Prince song. Rapturous applause follows as 200 beaming faces burst into smiles. I then get the chance to talk to Chantel’s Dad who is rightfully full of pride.
Our enigmatic performer finds time to speak to everyone. I can say nothing else other than; SENSATIONAL!
By Paul Mace