When I first entered The Drill, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, as Elles Bailey’s opening act hadn’t been confirmed on the venue’s website. To my surprise, I was greeted by Demi Marriner’s beautiful country vocals. While I’m not usually a fan of country music, her soulful performance captivated me from the moment I heard her. The crowd felt the same way—dancing, cheering, and fully embracing the atmosphere she created.
After Marriner’s set, Elles Bailey took the stage following a brief delay. Wasting no time, Bailey and her band kicked off the night with “Enjoy the Ride,” an energetic opener from her latest album, Beneath the Neon Glow.The song perfectly encapsulated her passion for live performance, brimming with the confidence of an artist at the height of her powers. I was pleasantly surprised to realise that Demi Marriner had joined Bailey on stage as her backing vocalist, bringing even more dynamism to the performance.
Bailey and her band flowed seamlessly through the next couple of tracks, unfazed by a minor technical issue with her earpiece. The band joked about it, but the music never missed a beat. Their cohesion and professionalism were on full display, drawing the audience further into the experience.
After some light-hearted crowd interaction, Bailey launched into “Help Somebody,” a soulful anthem about love and unity. The song was a standout, with the audience clapping along to drummer Matthew Jones’s. Jones’s rhythm was a skilful transition from the high-energy tempo of the opening numbers to something more reflective yet still powerful.
Bailey took a moment to introduce her next song, a throwback from her debut album Wildfire. She confessed a bit of nervousness about revisiting the track, but her stage presence told a different story—she was as poised as ever, moving confidently over to keyboardist Jonny Henderson to share in the performance. As the song wrapped, the lights dimmed, setting the tone for the next act of the night.
The pace picked up again with the fan favourite, “Ballad of a Broken Dream.” The energy in the room soared, with the crowd singing and dancing along—a sight Bailey clearly cherished. Her connection with her fans was palpable, and she took a moment to express her gratitude, clearly touched by how much her music resonated with them.
The energy kept building as she debuted an unreleased track, “Devil Claims His Prize,” which brought a fresh dynamic to the set. The night flowed effortlessly between rock, blues, and country, but the variety never felt disjointed. Instead, the changes in tempo and style seemed to be part of a deliberate plan to elevate the audience before giving them a moment to catch their breath, only to bring them back up again.
Midway through the show, Bailey surprised the audience by bringing out Aynsley Lister. They performed a song they had collaborated on together. The chemistry between them was electric, and Bailey kept the crowd engaged with her infectious energy, dancing across the stage and interacting with fans.
However, the night wasn’t without its challenges. An audience member fell ill and required attention from paramedics. Bailey, ever the consummate professional, ensured the crowd knew what was happening and even arranged for the affected fans to receive free merchandise. This commendable gesture spoke volumes about her character.
Bailey closed out the night with a final energetic performance, her stamina remarkable after more than an hour of relentless music and dancing. As the set ended, she teased the crowd by mentioning her desire to play more but citing the concert organisers as the reason she couldn’t. Naturally, this led to chants of “one more song,” and Bailey, not one to disappoint, returned to the stage for a rousing encore.
Leaving The Drill, I had the distinct feeling that I’d discovered a new brilliant artist. Elles Bailey’s talent, charisma, and connection with her fans make it clear why she is on an upward trajectory. As MOJO Magazine put it, “Her rise and rise is inevitable,” and after witnessing this live performance, I wholeheartedly agree.