Review: Ellen and The Escapades // Live at Leeds 2012

Located within Holy Trinity Church, the Leeds-based folk quintet were given the perfect backdrop for their whimsical acoustics. Clearly popular in their home town, the band played to a packed church hall with a heavily subdued atmosphere, which I am sure wasn’t entirely down to alcohol consumption. The melodic story-telling of Ellen’s forlorn love in “Without You” removes itself from being just another melancholy tale of woe with its catchy harmonica and its country music feel. However, the hit of the set came in the form of “Coming Back Home”, with a haunting and poignant slide guitar and its delicately powered vocal. The shy and unassuming Ellen is only made more endearing by her honest and compelling performance, with her stand alone melodies and surprising power. The band possess a great deal of likeability, and seem to have mastered a haunting and refreshing acoustic that is far from limited by their geography.

3.5/5

Words: Jasmine Andersson

Photos: Giles Smith