Review - Bywater Call, The Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon October 3rd 2023

Review – Bywater Call

The Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon (October 3rd 2023)

Reviewer / Photographer: Manuela Langotsch

Born out of a love for southern soul, blues and roots music and a passion to create a powerful and moving experience for listeners, Bywater Call left their hometown Toronto in Canada behind and embarked on a 2 month Europe & UK Tour. This Canadian Invasion had media outlets and audiences on both sides of the English Channel mesmerized for all the right reasons.

Formed in 2017, Bywater Call is a female fronted, 7-piece Southern Soul, Roots Rock band who have made waves not only on the Canadian Festival Circuit but also most recently at Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea in Europe where they performed in front of a captive crowd of Blues fans.

It was the first time the full band performed on British soil and there is no better place to start a tour than to stop by Coulsdon’s finest Music venue The Tuesday Night Music Club. A place that has become a gem amongst music clubs in the Greater London area.

The show had been sold out for weeks, even though the band had never stepped foot in this venue but good news travels fast and live music lovers knew this was a group not to be missed. It was crowded on and off the stage which just added to the incredible atmosphere that was felt once the music started.

Lead singer Meghan Parnell and guitarist Dave Barnes are the driving force behind this Powerhouse where an evolution in sound and concept can be heard with each song. Even though this septet hasn’t been playing together in this formation for very long, they’ve known each other since the early 2000s when they met during their musical training. A chemistry on stage can’t be faked and while it can be difficult with 7 band members, Bywater Call proved it can be done, having chemistry that is, not faking it.

What can be said about the insanely talented musicians in this band that hasn’t been said already. They are insanely talented. Meghan was quite happy to step aside every now and then and let guitarist Dave Barnes give us his numerous – at times jazzy – solos, the 2-piece horn section didn’t want to be left behind and showed us they are immensely skilled too. There was even a ‘guitar-trumpet standoff’ which delighted the audience. You don’t get to witness many of those. A real treat.

Meghan Parnell’s vocal ability is quite impressive. She is right up there with the likes of Janet Joplin and Etta James in my humble opinion. A husky, powerful and strong rock/blues voice, her singing looks and sounds so effortless. Like second nature. It was a real joy listening to her going up and down the scale.

The set list featured songs from their current album ‘Remain’ (released in 2022) and their debut album ‘Bywater Call’ (released in 2019). A great mixture of rock/blues songs but also some slower tunes.

There is no doubt that this band will make its mark on the UK Blues scene and will be back soon to be listed on various Festival line ups. I personally cannot wait.

Line-up:

Meghan Parnell – Vocals

Dave Barnes – Guitar

Mike Meusel – Bass

John Kervin – Keyboard

Stephen Dyte – Trumpet

Julian Nalli – Tenor Sax

Bruce McCarthy – Drums

Set List:

Bring it Back

Ties that Blind

Sweet Maria