Kathryn Williams

The Eclectica festival St Helens, Victoria Square
Sunday 14th August 2005

She was perhaps the biggest name on the bill and kicked off the day’s proceedings at the un-rock and roll time of 1.00pm – like myself she had to be somewhere else later that day.

This was something of an un-rock and roll event, given that it was the first Eclectica festival organised by St Helens Council on a stage in front of the town hall. The council should be applauded for hosting such an event – though they were let down by the inclement British weather.

The weather was typically English grey with a threat of rain, though the line-up was atypically English and represented music from various nations.

As well as Kathryn Williams others on the bill who took part included Baka Beyond, a European and African band. Samuel Oyediji, a Nigerian artist, The Coal Porters, a five-piece country rock band and headliners Dreadzone fresh from their recent appearance at the Glastonbury Festival

Kathryn Williams born and raised in Liverpool, but now a resident in Newcastle gave a stunning performance with her band made up of an additional cellist and guitarist who helped beef up the sound.

She played a half hour set covering all points of her career. From the Mercury Music Prize nominated album ‘Dog Leap Stairs’ through to the latest album ‘Over Fly Over’.

‘Hallelujah’ the Leonard Cohen song popularised by Jeff Buckley was well received by the crowd who were more familiar of that particular song than others from her set.

Kathryn Williams is not just a performer – she is quite an engaging presence and in-between song banter is worth turning up for alone.

A good start to today’s proceedings – hopefully the weather and the turn out will improve. Sadly I have to be elsewhere.