Polly & The Billets Doux

Despite this being their 27th gig in a row, Polly and the Billets Doux gave it their all tonight, leaving everything on stage.

Transporting you to the deep south with their double bass and some gnarly harmonica playing, the band started off with acoustic performances and you can tell it’s their preferred medium with their group vocals filling every space of the room.

Their live performance is a lot edgier than their recorded albums as they don’t just rely on vocals, their instruments play a very large part in making the performance as uplifiting and energetic as it is. The ferocity with which they commit to their art comes as a great suprise and for such an unimposing lead singer she lets her vocals do all the talking, lulling the audience into a false sense of security with her soft beautiful tones before startling everyone with her gutteral but still beautiful renditions.

A bare footed Polly punctuated the night with anecdotes about her taxidermy hobby, including how she’s relegated to the back of their tour van so she can’t collect any roadkill, and a romantic story about a dead cat with permanently open eyes!

Just as unexpected is guitar player Andrew Steen’s deep vocals in ‘Who Do You Love’, adding a Ray Lamontagne type gruffness to an already well rounded and exciting band.

Tuesday 27 May, Latest Music Bar

Rating: