Sierra Ferrell at Scala

Sierra Ferrell

Native Harrow

Scala, 28 June 2022

Sometimes you hear an artist and you just know you have to see them live. I may not be going to as many gigs these days, some of it due to circumstances but also due to that magic moment missing much of the time. But the first time I heard Sierra Ferrell I knew I had to go see her. Unfortunately the two London dates she was playing at the St Pancras Old Church were sold out but then due to the pandemic those got postponed and finally moved to Scala, so lucky for me I was finally able to grab a ticket (although I must say it would have been awesome to see a show like Ferrell's at the Old Church).

One of the things that most surprised me queuing up was how many young people were in attendance for such an old school sounding country artist like Ferrell. The audience was definitely a huge age span of older country/americana fans and younger more hipster looking kids. Ferrell herself definitely has an alternative vibe to her look and her socials but her music is pure traditional country. It's probably a good sign that simple, rootsy music is going to live on with younger audiences and I suppose Ferrell herself is still a youngster too at 33, but still it's nice to see as sometimes going to see americana acts, even youthful ones, can be a total grey-hair fest.

At first I wasn't sure who the support act Native Harrow were, but then when I saw the merch stand I recognised the cover of their 2019 album Happier Now, which, with its folky 70s-style cover, I had been intrigued by and always meant to check out. What better way, I suppose, of being introduced to a band's music than seeing them live. It turns out Native Harrow are a folk-rock duo from Pennsylvania, made up of Devin Tuel and Stephen Hams, who now reside in Brighton in the UK. They certainly look like they stepped right out of the early 70s too, with Tuel coming out in a double demin flared outfit and Hams sporting an impressive hippie-esque beard, and their music is a mix of Laurel Canyon in its 70s prime and Fairport Convention in its heyday. Tuel has a voice somewhere between Joni, Karen Carpenter and Laura Marling, in fact their music often reminded me of Marling in her more recent American-influenced years. 

I really enjoyed Native Harrow's set and it left me determined to check out their four albums but it was frustrating just how much talking their was during their set. They did have a few more upbeat songs but, with just two acoustic guitars, and the majority of the songs being more on the gentle, vibe-filled side, it was quite distracting sometimes, which was a shame because really it seemed like they could have gone down a treat with a more attentive audience, especially one who enjoy americana music. One of the plights of being a support act I suppose.

There was no talking during the main act, thankfully, in fact, full audience participation, which shows just how well Sierra Ferrell's debut album, Long Time Coming, has been received here. Her backing back,  made up of fiddle player/guitarist Geoff Saunders and bass player Oliver Bates Craven, arrive on stage before her and she soon steps out in embroidered flared jeans, a flower crown and huge sparkly sunglasses, looking every inch a star.

Launching with In Dreams its clear from the start that this trio is absolutely on fire, managing to fill the hall with their harmonies and instruments in a way that some fully electric and bigger bands can't, and right from the start the crowd is enthralled and eager to take part. I don't think I've ever seen an acoustic act produce such an enthusiastic lively reaction, in fact.

It's also clear just what a strong album Long Time Coming is, as the band make their way through it and every song is absolute treat, sounding even more alive and lovely than on the record. Ferrell removes her fancy shades after a couple of songs admitting she can't see the audience! Which is just as well as by Bells Of Every Chapel everyone is singing along, and what a sight to miss out on.

As she has only released one album so far, not surprisingly the set is also filled out with some covers, including the Osbourne Brothers' Lonesome Feeling, Don't Let Your Deal Go Down (by the Foggy Mountain Boys) and, maybe best of all and certainly a spiritual mother to Ferrell's sound, Kitty Wells' iconic track It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. There's no doubt that Ferrell is continuing what Wells pioneered all those years ago.  There was also a lovely moment when Sierra and Saunders had a little old-fashioned dance in the middle of the song.

There's also a new song called Fox Hunt which saw Ferrell take up the fiddle herself (turns out she is not only an excellent acoustic guitarist, often reminding me of Willie Nelson, himself an underrated guitarist, but also a superb fiddle player too) and joined by Saunders on fiddle himself, for a real toe-tapping, bluegrass, hollering, dance-number. Another new number called Lighthouse Song, in which she croons, "could you be the lighthouse for my soul" recalls Loretta Lynn in her more gentle moments.

There was also a great song called I'd Do It Again, which sounded like an unearthed forgotten country classic. Hopefully all three will be on her new album which she says she hopes to start recording soon.

Other highlights included a solo rendition of an older track called Rosemary, which proved she can command a stage all on her own, and surprisingly given its not on the album, still had people singing along. Here her incredible voice really shined through, rising above and sounding like an old soul, and was also a great showcase for her fantastic guitar-playing.

The encore saw the three huddle together at the microphone to harmonize on a rousing version of the Flatt & Scruggs classic Dim Lights, Thick Smoke. It was like being transported back to the golden age of country music. You could almost imagine Ferrell on a bill with Hank Williams or Patsy Cline way back in the 50s, it was that magical. 

It was incredible to see someone who is bringing traditional country music back to a new generation with such vitality and getting such a positive response, in London of all places. This show was definitely an amazing treat and, from the sounds of the new songs, there's many more treats to come from the hugely talented Ferrell.