Chris Brain brings new album ‘Red Sun Rising’ to Sheffield
The musician played at The Greystones.
Photo: f8_club
Chris Brain is capable of teleportation. His shows aren’t just a means for him to perform his songs; they are a way of transporting his audience to traditional British folk clubs. The sort of clubs where songwriters come armed with songs and stories in equal measure, and where listening is just as much a part of the show as performing.
Brain has a seamless ability to make the stage seem like your living room: warm, comforting and welcoming. He arrived on stage in Sheffield with an unassuming ‘Ay up’ and a brew in hand. Before he had even begun to play, he was able to disarm the audience with his endearing, authentic charm. His songs offer an authentic slice of real, intimate traditional Great British folk music. They are a shelter from the storm.
Starting with some highlights from his stunning new record, Red Sun Rising, Brain displayed his signature dry northern humour as he mixed in stories and anecdotes between his songs. It’s endlessly endearing, and he has the audience hanging on his every word.
Brain got his start busking on the streets of Wakefield, and he takes that same intimacy and energy into all of his shows, even as the venues continue to get bigger and bigger. At one point, Brain sings a traditional Yorkshire folk song acapella and it’s incredibly moving to hear several members of the audience sheepishly joining in. Musically, he is able to combine tranquil, soothing Nick Drake-inspired songs with traditional Richard Thompson-sounding guitar work. His catalogue of songs feels like a celebration of the folk music that has come before, alongside being so distinctly a representation of his own unassuming and endearing personality.
None of the magic would be possible without incredible independent venues like The Greystones. The live music backroom of the Greystones is exactly that: the backroom of The Greystones pub in Sheffield. Really, though, it is so much more. Some rooms are more than just the sum of their four walls, and the four walls of The Greystones’ backroom are a magical place.
The audience is packed in tightly on folded chairs, facing an intimately low stage. It is Sheffield’s smallest theatre. Combined with the calming, relaxing and peaceful songs of Chris Brain, it feels like you have been transported to an entirely new place free from all the burdens of the outside world.
The evening ended with an endearing and life-affirming story about his time performing at London’s Royal Concert Hall before he came back to encore with the glorious Golden Days. Afterwards, everyone left The Greystones feeling a little bit lighter. His songs and stories offered everyone some comfort and hope. At the very least, being able to cultivate a room of like-minded people to celebrate a style of music so special and dear to their hearts offered a wonderful escape. When it comes to Chris Brain and his music, it wasn’t the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last.
Red Sun Rising is out now via Big Sun Records.
