By Lauren Paddison, Music Student
'The guitars he used looked like they could tell stories of their own', Music Student Lauren Paddison reviews Dan Owen's gig at The Louisiana.
It is no wonder that the marvellous Dan Owen sold out his last gig, of a 36 night run, at The Louisiana, Bristol last night. Around 150 people packed themselves into this beautiful building to hear the husky blues voice of the 25 year old singer songwriter who has been touring his newly released album Stay Awake With Me.
Following two support acts, Dan Owen took the stage with a volume and energy that was impressive from just a man and his guitar. He had not spoken a word before displaying a unique talent through a harmonica that was suspended from his chest, in a tantalising solo accompanied by his own guitar strums and stomp box, at times using all four limbs to create his sound.
Accompanied by pianist and guitarist Louis Coupe, the pair captured feelings of sadness, heartbreak, love and sheer joy in the highs and lows of an hour long set. It was so easy to be enveloped by the stories behind all of Owen’s music, which he has collected from years spent as a touring musician, and his honest humour made him an absolute crowd winner.
The guitars he used looked like they could tell stories of their own, their exteriors showing signs of tour life and thousands of hours of practice and playing. His final song saw him embark on an acoustic frenzy of blues which even his guitar was unprepared for, as he bust a string halfway through.
Wiping his sweaty brow, the end saw him hint towards an album that he teased could be released ‘sooner than you think’, before leaving his guitar laid out on the stage, as if collapsed through exhaustion, its broken string poking out of the headstock- a fitting departure for a man of music who truly left nothing behind.
All images: Epigram / Lauren Paddison
Want to write a review for Epigram Music? Get in touch.
Facebook // Epigram Music // Twitter
