Words and Photos by Saidy Lopez
Pop-Break: James Bay with Lucie Silvas at The Bowery Ballroom – March 16, 2015
I had the opportunity to attend and photograph James Bay’ sold out show at Bowery Ballroom earlier this year. Opening for him was the British folk/singer-songwriter and Nashville transplant, Lucie Silvas. She walked onto the stage accompanied by her two Johns. She doesn’t go anywhere without them, she told the crowd. She also mentioned what a great place Nashville is for artists and musicians. It seems like many musicians have made the move to Nashville. Last year, Abner Ramirez of Johnnyswim told the audience how he ended up in Nashville and earlier this year Andrew McKeller of Civil Twilight did the same.
I don’t know how many people had heard her music before that night (she has since made a bit of noise with the song ‘Mississippi Flood’ which appeared on ABC’s Nashville), but it was clear that she had won the crowd over with her lovely vocals, catchy hooks and charming accent. She switched between the keyboard, mandolin, and a small blue guitar. The foot stomping “Letters to Ghosts” was a huge hit with the crowd, as they clapped in harmony and sang along with the chorus. I myself have played it in the car, singing at the top of my lungs, on way to work. Lucie recently released a self-titled 5 song EP, which she recorded in Nashville. She is emotionally involved with each song and the EP is a great preview of what is to come on her full length album. Look out for it later this year.
Headlining the evening was the white hot British troubadour, James Bay. Bay who opened for Hozier at Irving Plaza has gone onto sell out venues throughout the country. After packing The Bowery, he went on to sell out Irving Plaza. He will return to New York City this July to play the Hammerstein Ballroom. Bay’s success has been fueled by his hit song ‘Hold Back the River’ off his debut record Chaos and the Calm which was released in March.
James Bay Setlist:
Collide
Craving
When We Were On Fire
If You Ever Want to Be in Love
Running
Let It Go
Scars
Wait In Line
Move Together
Sparks
Best Fake Smile
Encore:
Clocks Go Forward
If I Ain’t Got You (Alicia Keys cover)
Hold Back the River
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