The opportunity to see one of the UK’s leading Americana acts in an intimate setting such as Prince Albert Pub in Stroud seemed too good to be true. Years of an incredibly impressive career, which includes various critically acclaimed albums, Vincent has played across some incredible venues across the years which includes the Royal Albert Hall. Vincent also closed the one-off special of The Old Grey Whistle Test in 2018.

At the UK Americana Awards last month, Robert Vincent won an award for song of the year for his song Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow. This win helped make his show at The Prince Albert a total sell out.

Promoted by local independent Peter Baxendale and sponsored by us here at Building Our Own Nashville, the proceeds of the event will be donated to the Trinity Rooms Community Hub in Stroud.

The Trinity Rooms Community Hub is a centre that provides a venue for a range of activities which benefit the environment, and the health and well-being of local people and the wider community.

The evening was well and truly packed before 7pm when the show was set to start. An eager crowd, the audience were sat down ready for an evening of great music. “And they say there aren’t enough Americana fans in Stroud” laughed host Peter Baxendale before he introduced the first act Amy Moore. Explaining how he was blown away by seeing Moore at a show in Swindon, he was extremely excited to have her open up the show.

Amy Moore is local to Stroud but as she tells the audience later (which was met by joking boo’s) she actually originates from Jersey. Moore has been a friend to us here at Boon for a while and we absolutely had to recommend her to open up for Robert Vincent, in fact, we had no one else in mind. Amy Moore was the perfect opener. Stating various times across her set that her job was to warm up the crowd, Moore certainly delivered on her promise. Charismatic, witty and could chat for hours, Amy had the audience in the palm of her hand which isn’t an easy task in a pub setting when people often talk and go back and forth to the bar. The audience however, were attentive, laughing in the right places and singing along loud and proud to all her audience participation moments. A variety of beautifully performed songs which included Consequences, Amy performed solo with just her guitar where she usually performs with her band. Playing a mix of new, unreleased songs and old Amy closed with a gorgeous version of a firm favourite Devil You See.

A very laid back and respectful environment, Robert Vincent and his one band member Danny Williams casually took to the stage. Beginning his set with the breathtaking The Kids Don’t Dig God Anymore, the show already in those early moments proved why he is one of the greatest artists the Americana genre has to offer. This Town followed and after the track finished, Robert joked “we started with a couple of happy ones to ease you in haha”.

Introducing All For You next, a song that he told us in an interview is his mums favourite, he further explains that “All For You is about changing part of yourself for someone else and in this case it was my son. My mum really liked it and I played a demo to her and after she had heard it a few times she said “I really like that song but there’s a line in it that says “there’s a hole in the ground where I lay you down” and I think she was a bit worried I had become a serial killer and she said “maybe just change this line because…” and I said no as it’s all metaphorical it’s about burying a part of yourself.

Forgetting the first line and laughing about only having had one pint, he continues with the song. Laughing how he could really do with a cup of tea, promoter Peter Baxendale brings him one to the stage much to Rob’s delight. Three songs later which included Conundrum and The Ending, he takes a sip of tea and says “a Cup of tea at gigs, it’s the new rock and roll – you all want a cup of tea now don’t you?” I certain did!

Last year Robert released his most personal record yet titled Barriers. Playing a generous amount of tracks from the new album, we were treated with the title track, The Insider, The Beast Inside, Lost Souls, The Hard Way, Burden and more! Before playing his track Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow, Rob tells us of his time at the Americana awards last month.

“Did you win something?” An audience member jokes.

“Well now that you mention it as I wasn’t going to mention it” laughs Rob as he explains he was pleased it was this song that he won Song of The Year for. “It’s quite a hopeful song” he says “some would say borderline happy”. After he finished the song he says “right, back to the misery” and performed Keeper of My Heart also from the Barriers album. Closing with more upbeat You Were Standing Right Before Me, the crowd (and Vincent and Danny it seemed) were all pretty sad to see the night come to an end. “One more?” Vincent asks which is of course met with a chorus of yes’. The actual final song was Demons.

The time passed rather quickly and we were hooked from start to finish. The night was absolutely phenomenal and one for the memory books. It felt more than just a concert, it felt like a private event which we were all invited to. The exceptional music blended with the hilarious banter between Robert and the audience made for such a fun evening that emotions were a mix of laughter and tears.

A stunning performance from both Robert Vincent and Danny Williams, it truly was something special! Williams is such a treat to watch on double bass. At one point his playing was so bewitching that Robert forgot to sing.

A show at the Prince Albert pub is a setting like no other and although this was our first time being there, it certainly won’t be our last. We also plan to catch many more shows from Robert Vincent again but no matter how good those shows will be, this particular evening will likely aways be the most special to us. I doubt that we were alone in those thoughts.

Robert Vincent is a masterful performer who writes some of the most heavenly, albeit sombre songs but each and every one is a gift to hear.

A massive thanks to Peter Baxendale for putting this show on. Let this be one of many shows.

Read our interview with Robert Vincent here