Michael Fox and Michelle Dockery, best known for their roles in the epic drama Downton Abbey have been a musical duo now for a few years.

Both with impressive musical backgrounds, the pair met on set of Downton Abbey discovering each other’s musical talents and deciding to start the duo Michael and Michelle.

Beautiful songwriters, the pair have created some of the most stunning Folk music to date. If you have heard their music, then you likely know what I mean. The duo have released two EP’s via their label Decca (The Watching Silence 2022 and Don’t Go Alone 2023).

Michael and Michelle started off 2024 with a bang by embarking on their first major headlining tour which has seen them play across London, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Dublin, Belfast, Stroud and Bristol.

Last night, February 1st 2024, we were fortunate to see Michael and Michelle at The Subscription Rooms in Stroud.

The gorgeous Cotswold stone, Grade II listed building was built in 1833 under the architect Charles Baker of Painswick.

A wonderful place to play and see music and all varieties of arts, the Subscription Rooms have been thriving with exceptional artists for years but even more so since being taken over by Hugh Phillimore best known for running Cornbury Festival.

An almost sold out crowd, the evening began with singer/songwriter and fellow actor Lukas Button. Delivering an acoustic performance of just himself and his guitar, the audience were attentive to his set throughout. Witty and charming, Button’s music was engaging and wonderfully melodic. In places he was reminiscent to an early Jason Mraz.

Michael and Michelle took to the stage to rapturous applause and immediately thanked the crowd for coming – expressing their gratitude to playing such a beautiful venue.

Beginning their set with their most current single Little Life, the pair were solo on stage and accompanied just by Michael’s guitar. The duo’s vocals soared freely across the venue to a completely silent audience who were captivated immediately by the breathtaking vocals and bewitchingly sublime music. Little Life is such a sensational song that really captures the beauty in both their vocals. Live, the song reached an entirely different level!

We were treated with a very generous set list of music across both of their EP’s as well as new music that is yet to be recorded. One of those new songs was titled Straight From The Heart which we are very much look forward to having a studio version to listen to in what we hope won’t be too long.

Michelle explained how she and Michael began their musical journey on set together. She laughs about how the first song they wrote together was in between sets and they were in full costume. The song, which they then played was Calming Storm.

A more up beat performance came from the song Starlight which opens up their current EP Don’t Go Alone. Misfire really showcased Michael Fox’s vocal talents and proved he has a wide range. A song dedicated to a lady whom they say made their tour possible Emily was next and I believe is another unreleased track. Continuing the new song streak, we were treated with the wonderful Infinite Skyline. Citing that they began their musical journey not exactly knowing which genre to focus on, Michelle introduced what she described as their one and only Jazz song titled Unmade Bed. The song was of old school Jazz style and showcased their potential of writing music in various genres.

Fan favourite and previous single Dark Water was really spectacular live. A very melodic and highly memorable song, Dark Water is anthemic and simply brilliant. Playing the last track from their current EP, the duo played Back On My Feet, a song they explained is for those people in our lives who help us when we need it! The chorus of that song is addictive to listen to and each note played and sung really hits you! It has a great cinematic feel to it and again is quite anthemic. I hope one day to get to hear this song backed with a full band as it would be something incredible special.

Seemingly closing with the song Universe, the crowd cheered and demanded more which of course brought them back to perform an encore.

Performing the last two tracks off their EP The Watching Silence, Michelle sounded exceptional on the moving track Walk With Me. It is such a gorgeous song that is perfection live! Closing the show with the song which features a wonderful build up titled The Watching Silence, they ended the night on a brilliant high making a whole range of new fans and old. People who may have been there simply as Downton Abbey fans fell in love with Michael and Michelle as well- established artists that night and already fans of their musical craft fell even deeper in love with their music.

Each song performed was stunning and flawless. The melodies of each song are so well crafted, hauntingly beautiful and are an absolute delight to listen to. Dockery and Fox’s vocals truly complement each other showing that they are a musical match made in heaven – their voices blend together in a truly spectacular and magical way! The set was mesmerising throughout and the pair engaged with the crowd well, making them instantly likeable as individuals.

Their music is next level live, proving that their studio versions, as heavenly as they are, don’t do them enough justice.

Michael and Michelle are set for great things with their music. It’s only the beginning of 2024 and I already feel like I have seen what will undoubtedly be one of the greatest shows that I will see all year! There is so much beauty in simplicity. With this being an acoustic show, we didn’t need more. It was incredible to sit there in absolute silence and just take in every note and lyric and enjoy it attentively. The evening was therapeutic, enchanting and simply exquisite.

We can’t wait for the next tour and hope they return to Stroud where they will of course, be most welcome.