Live at Emmanuel: Lauren Housley

This was announced on 15 November 2021

This is a fabulous review of Lauren at the Half Moon in Putney on 4 November. How amazing that she’s coming to Billericay on 19 December.

Live Review: Lauren Housley + Robbie Cavanagh, The Half Moon, Putney, 4th November

The wearing of masks is currently optional (but that may well change nearer the time) but could we ask that you do not attend if you are showing COVID 19 symptoms. This is a courtesy to others attending and ensures the safety of everyone – especially over the Christmas period. Thank you for your understanding.

I’m delighted to welcome back Lauren Housley and her fabulous band, consisting of Thomas Dibb and Mark Lewis, to play the last gig of her ‘Girl From The North’ Winter UK Tour at Emmanuel Church, Billericay at 7.00 pm on Sunday 19 December 2021. It’s no secret that Lauren is one of my/our favourite artists and I can guarantee that we’re in for an outstanding evening of live music.

TICKETS Adults £15.00 / Under 16’s yrs £8.00 – plus fees. You can purchase tickets by clicking below:

TICKETS ON THE DOOR Adults £20 / Under 16 yrs £12

Lauren is a native of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, but is now based in Manchester. She draws her influence from a wide range of music genres, with her emotive vocals steeped in Gospel, Blues and a unique blend of ‘Nashville’ flavoured soul with a hint of Americana and Roots, Pop and Rock and some killer covers thrown in for good measure.

An Americana-tinged singer-songwriter with a Bonnie Raitt style twang, a winning way with yearning lyrics. Housley is her own woman and when she turns glacially emotional on When Autumn Came, she’s as convincing as they come …. Sweet Surrender (album) smoulders. Blues and Soul Magazine

Lauren’s debut album ‘Sweet Surrender’ was one of my standout albums of 2015, filled with some brilliant original songs, written alongside long time creative partner Thomas Dibb, that are honest, sincere and personal. A number of tracks play listed on Radio 2 by the likes of Chris Evans, Jeremy Vine and Bob Harris.

Lauren’s follow up album ‘The Beauty of this Life’ was released in the summer of 2017 and features the best of her limited edition album, and 6 new tracks. Laurel Canyon have labelled them world-class in an album review which you can find here. Don’t say I don’t bring quality acts to Billericay.

In 2018 Lauren released a critically acclaimed single ‘My Sleeping Heart’ (one of my favourite songs of 2018) which saw a much more American Country influence with the perfect blend of a traditional and modern sound. Not too unlike the SoCal sound of Sam Outlaw.

Lauren returns with the long-awaited release of her third album, Girl From The North on 23 April 2021 through her own label, Lovebird Recordings. Wrapped in a fresh and eclectic sound, the central theme of the new record is one of rediscovering herself and her roots:

To move forward we sometimes have to go back. I wanted to prove to myself that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you can make great music.” Lauren confides, “Returning to my hometown of Rotherham a few years ago, after leaving at the age of 18, seemed like the most bizarre decision I’d ever made. It was never part of my ‘plan’ but it has in fact enabled me to reassess my life and career goals and move forward in a way that feels true to myself.

Lauren hopes more than ever that her new music will bring a burst of light and joy to listeners in these dark times.

Lauren Housley’s brand of Americana blurs the lines between rock and soul through to country and blues. Her music is genre defying, and will appeal to all. National Blues Review

PROCEEDS From this event will be given to the Purple Community Fund working in The Philippines. I spent three weeks there in July/August 2019 working alongside some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in Asia, many of whom live on the largest rubbish dump in the world.

MORE INFORMATION

HOW TO FIND US Emmanuel is a 10 minute walk from Billericay station (which is 25 mins from Liverpool Street). We are also only 5 mins off the A127 and 10 mins off the A12. Postcode CM12 9LD.

CAR PARKING There is parking for about 70 cars on site – additional parking can be found on the High Street and behind Iceland (which is only a 5 mins walk from Emmanuel).

COVID-19 There will be a reduced number of 120 people in attendance as we seek to follow whatever government guidelines are currently in place (and may be in place in December). It’s a possibility that numbers may increase nearer the time.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU ARE EXHIBITING ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.

DOORS 18.00

GENERAL SEATING Emmanuel Church is theatre style with excellent views ‘in the round’ – seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

BAR There will be a reasonably priced bar provided by my friends at Billericay Brewery a local microbrewery in the church hall. No drinks, apart from water, however, will be allowed in the church itself.

PLEASE NOTE This is a listening event! Please read Shhh … there’s a band playing!

CONTACT revpacman@btinternet.com / @revPACman / facebook.com/revpacman1