Sunday 16th April 2023
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
Bronwynne Brent Trio, The Live Room, Saltaire Sunday 16th April 2023. The opening night of the tour and it very nearly didn’t happen as there were passport problems, flight problems, weather problems . Apart from a very brief nap Bronwynne came directly from the airport, having spent the night before hoping she would be able to get here as her flight was cancelled.
For those that weren’t there Bronwynnes last gig at TLR was the last gig before lockdown on 15th March 2020 , we didn’t know what was going to happen over the following 2 years . Many had tickets and didn’t turn up for the show, there was a strange, poignant atmosphere, we just didn’t know what was going to happen. Bronwynne just about managed to get back to the States before the airlines stopped flying and countries doors closed, no vaccine in sight at that point , we just didn’t know!.
Logically with all the things that went wrong leading up to the gig it should have been a disaster. However most people don’t live in Bronwynne’s version of reality. On top of the problems Bronwynne hadn’t played with Graeme and Mario for several years Mario was in the Trio in 2020 but Graeme was last in the Trio in 2018’s tour (I went to 4 gigs).
They didn’t have time to rehearse. Doors were scheduled for 1830. The trio didn’t arrive at TLR until gone 1800. With all that the show actually started approaching 1930 as opposed to the scheduled 1900 . What we got was a gloriously wonderful display of music at it’s most live. Bronwynne wouldn’t actually know how to rehearse a story or well practiced lines anyway so she just did what she does best and went with the flow in her inimitable manner laughing throughout.
Mario and Graeme are both wonderful musicians and took this in their stride. That’s not to say there weren’t some off notes on occasions but when music is as live as this who cares? Set list was kind of vague and relied on comments like “you know this one don’t you?”, the version of After You’ve Gone was prefaced by “you must know this , it;’s a classic” and then a line or 2 were sung to refresh Mario and Graeme.
You don’t get any more live (or riskier) than this but it was glorious. I don’t think I am alone in thinking this was just a fabulous gig and totally summed up what live music is about.
Brilliant night with this fantastic trio of talented musicians Bronwynne is a remarkable singer songwriter and such a captivating personality..
The energy and connection between her and her two compatriots was remarkable given the circumstances of their reunion, which brought a superb vibe to the evening. Well done Hilary and Ron for once again bringing us another exceptional night of music and enjoyment 😊
Thanks Steve, it was a very special night. We adore Bronwynne, it was so good to see her again.
As Keith has said, it was an evening of live music at it’s best. Bronwynne was her usual charming self, though clearly a little beside herself with exhaustion. Her voice is unique and wonderful and she didn’t disappoint. Mario seemed to hold the evening together and it was entertaining and funny from the get-go. Our first time seeing Graeme and my goodness can that man play a guitar! Outstanding. It was also our first time at the Live Room, purely so that we could see Bronwynne live again, but if the calibre of music is regularly to that standard, we’ll be back! (and thanks Keith, for the fantastic photos)
Glad you enjoyed your first visit here Liz and we look forward to seeing you again! Bronwynne is a real gem isn’t she?