Elles Bailey's Tour: A Night to Remember

Review: Elles Bailey – ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’ Tour

Islington Assembly Hall, March 19^th, 2026

Reviewer / photographer – Paul Dubbelman

Elles Bailey kicked off her ‘Can’t Take My Story Away‘ Tour with a stupendous show at the Islington Assembly Hall, London. Riding the crest of a wave, with the chart success of her latest album, and with two singles getting regular airplay on BBC Radio 2, this was always going to be a special show.

Show openers Caitlin Krisko and Aaron Austin, of Caitlin Krisko and the Broadcast had been personally selected by Elles to support her on this tour, and this mentorship of other artists is one of the attributes that makes Elles so special in so many eyes. Caitlin and Aaron delivered a stripped back set, quite different to their full band show, but this format allowed us to appreciate the power, range, and versatility of Caitlin’s voice. Accompanied by Aaron on Acoustic guitar, the pair delivered a short but extremely sweet set including a beautiful cover of ‘Drown In My Own Tears‘, the Ray Charles classic written by Henry Glover. Nominated for International Artist of the Year at this year’s UK Blues awards, Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast will be returning to our shores in October 2026. I for one, will be in the queue to secure tickets.

Caitlin Krisko & Aaron Austin - Islington Assembly Hall

SetList:

Let It Ride
Blue Heron
Drown In My Own Tears (Ray Charles cover))
Battle Cry
Haunted by You
Come and Go Blues

A short break, a quick turnaround, and Elles band took to the stage. As the opening bars of ‘Can’t take my Story Away‘ rang out and Elles strode onto the stage, a smile as wide as the Bristol Channel lighting up her face as she surveyed the audience in front of her, before launching into a performance that had that audience captivated for the rest of the evening.

Elles owned that stage, and covered most, if not all, of it across the course of the 100 minute set, and delighted the crowd with not only songs from her latest album ‘Can’t Take My Story Away‘ (review here) but also digging back into an ever-growing back catalogue to treat us to numbers that maybe had slipped from memory but were welcomed back with open arms, open ears, and open hearts. In accordance with a desire expressed by Elles, there is no setlist or list of tracks here, but of course there were highlights that should be noted. One of these was ‘Better Days‘, written by Matt Long, with Elles’ version currently being played on BBC Radio 2. Elles’ band are well-established, more a family than a band, and an important ingredient in the Elles Bailey sound. The addition of Brass on this tour has brought a brightness and soul to the songs, none more so than on ‘Better Days‘. For many this is a bittersweet song, invoking memories of Matt and his untimely passing but, in Elles’ hands a joyful song of hope out of the darkness.

Speaking of the Band, Matthew Jones (Drums) and Matthew Waer (Bass) driving the songs forward, Johnny Henderson (Keys/Hammond) adding tone and colour, UK Blues Awards Instrumentalist of the year Nominee Joe Wilkins (Guitars) laying down riffs, lick and sweet slide, and the delightful Demi Marriner (Guitar/Percussion) adding beautiful touches to every song, have stood alongside Elles for many a tour and that bond of mutual respect coupled with shared joy is clear to see. Augmented by the newly formed brass section of Sophie Stockon-Brown on Saxophone and Paul Jordanous on Trumpet, this is a band that delivers with minimum fuss and maximum talent.

A cover of the Chris Smithers-penned, Bonnie Raitt-covered ‘Love Me Like The Man‘ had Elles kneeling at the stage edge, imploring every man in the room to do just that. Elles has always been something of an open book (and one day might write one), happy to talk about her own struggles and challenges to illustrate the origins of her songs and also to inspire others that might be going through their own tough times and this was well illustrated on ‘Tightrope‘, a song that touches so many in so many different ways and a gain had Elles on her knees as she poured love and emotion into that room. All too soon, it felt, and following a rousing encore, the lights were on and we were out of the venue, heads buzzing with good sounds and good vibes, with memories of a fantastic night in a room filled with Love, Hope, and the best music.

Overall, a fabulous night in the company of fabulous musicians, Caitlin and Aaron setting the stage with their stripped-back but powerful opening set, followed by a tour-de-force performance from one of the most exciting, open, and original artists out there – Elles Bailey and her exceptionally fine Band.