REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
JANUARY 2026
BLACK & GOLD UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Friday 30 January 2026
Palace Theatre, Westcliff
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
JANUARY 2026
BLACK & GOLD UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Friday 30 January 2026
Palace Theatre, Westcliff
A night of great guitar – enough to raise the roof!
The girl from the black country Joanne Shaw Taylor has given a barn storming blues performance at the Palace Theatre. This English singer and guitarist was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16 and has been playing and singing ever since. Performing her strong blues/rock and roll style, she has been touring both in the UK and in America.
Essex boy Connor Selby, the up and coming star who was named Traditional Blues artist of the year 2025, opened this show. Connor sang heart-felt blues, with quiet confidence, in the original style, unaccompanied by a backing group. He sang songs from his latest album The Truth Comes Out Eventually. There was a touch of Eric Clapton about his performance and indeed, he has played with him and other names of note in the past. The songs Falling in Love, and Just All Out of Love, he sang with great emotional feeling. The song It Won’t be Hard to Find Me, had more of a country feel, and the album title song he performed, was more of a ballad.
He finished his set with the song Summer which had an interesting guitar intro. Connor is a young man who sings from the heart with an earthy blues feel. The somewhat mature audience listened respectfully, then cheered, and clapped at the end, having enjoyed his performance.
Then to whistles and shouts, the second half of the show had Joanne storming on stage with her backing group. She launched into the song of the Pete Green, Fleetwood Mac period, Stop Messin’ Round from her album The Blues, which brought the house down. From then on there was song after song, a mix from her older albums and some from her newest Black and Gold album. There were tremendous guitar riffs, licks and solos from Joanne and her support who ably kept up with her guitar expertise. Joanne belted out, Watch ‘em Burn, Greyer Shade of Blue, Nobody’s Fool which had a country feel, as did Two Time My Loving, and I loved the funky Black Magic. Most of the songs were self-composed but there were some covers such as the Ned Washington, Dimitri Tiomkine song that is always credited to David Bowie, Wild is the Wind. This had a quieter melodic tone.
In the main, the songs were upbeat and funky with blue grass, rock and roll, and edgy blues all in one high-powered performance. There is something for everyone; the guitar solos reinforce Joanne’s heavy rock credentials with a touch of Nashville country amid powerful rock ballads.
Additionally, the backing band should be praised for their excellent support. Shane Sanders as second guitar, with Chris Alexander on bass more than kept up with the zinging guitar provided by Joanne. Katelynn Corll should also be mentioned for her brilliant drum accompaniment, and backing harmonies. This all added to the overall full on sound that nearly took the roof off the Palace Theatre.
This was an evening of American influenced (Joanne now lives there) gospel blues with lashings of raunchy electric guitar and rock and roll. She dominated the stage with her excellent guitar playing whilst singing her heart out. This is, despite, as she informed everyone that she was still suffering from the cold that had made her cancel one of her gigs.
If you like raunchy guitar and country style blues-rock, this is the show for you.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Essex boy Connor Selby, the up and coming star who was named Traditional Blues artist of the year 2025, opened this show. Connor sang heart-felt blues, with quiet confidence, in the original style, unaccompanied by a backing group. He sang songs from his latest album The Truth Comes Out Eventually. There was a touch of Eric Clapton about his performance and indeed, he has played with him and other names of note in the past. The songs Falling in Love, and Just All Out of Love, he sang with great emotional feeling. The song It Won’t be Hard to Find Me, had more of a country feel, and the album title song he performed, was more of a ballad.
He finished his set with the song Summer which had an interesting guitar intro. Connor is a young man who sings from the heart with an earthy blues feel. The somewhat mature audience listened respectfully, then cheered, and clapped at the end, having enjoyed his performance.
Then to whistles and shouts, the second half of the show had Joanne storming on stage with her backing group. She launched into the song of the Pete Green, Fleetwood Mac period, Stop Messin’ Round from her album The Blues, which brought the house down. From then on there was song after song, a mix from her older albums and some from her newest Black and Gold album. There were tremendous guitar riffs, licks and solos from Joanne and her support who ably kept up with her guitar expertise. Joanne belted out, Watch ‘em Burn, Greyer Shade of Blue, Nobody’s Fool which had a country feel, as did Two Time My Loving, and I loved the funky Black Magic. Most of the songs were self-composed but there were some covers such as the Ned Washington, Dimitri Tiomkine song that is always credited to David Bowie, Wild is the Wind. This had a quieter melodic tone.
In the main, the songs were upbeat and funky with blue grass, rock and roll, and edgy blues all in one high-powered performance. There is something for everyone; the guitar solos reinforce Joanne’s heavy rock credentials with a touch of Nashville country amid powerful rock ballads.
Additionally, the backing band should be praised for their excellent support. Shane Sanders as second guitar, with Chris Alexander on bass more than kept up with the zinging guitar provided by Joanne. Katelynn Corll should also be mentioned for her brilliant drum accompaniment, and backing harmonies. This all added to the overall full on sound that nearly took the roof off the Palace Theatre.
This was an evening of American influenced (Joanne now lives there) gospel blues with lashings of raunchy electric guitar and rock and roll. She dominated the stage with her excellent guitar playing whilst singing her heart out. This is, despite, as she informed everyone that she was still suffering from the cold that had made her cancel one of her gigs.
If you like raunchy guitar and country style blues-rock, this is the show for you.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The tour continues:-
2026 UK/Europe TourFebruary 1 - Antwerp, BE - De Roma
February 3 - Munich, DE - Backstage Werk
February 5 - Hamburg, DE - Fabrik
February 6 - Cologne, DE - Die Kantine
February 8 - Stuttgart, DE - Im Wizemann
February 9 - Zurich, CH - Kaufleuten Festsaal
February 10 - Milan, IT - Legend Club Milano
February 12 - Paris, FR - Alhambra
2026 Spring U.S. Tour
March 18 – Skokie, IL – North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
March 20 - Kent, OH - The Kent Stage
March 21 – Pittsford, NY – Beston Hall
March 22 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer
March 24 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel
March 25 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
March 27 – State College, PA – The State Theatre
March 28 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
March 29 - Oakmont, PA - The Oaks Theater
March 31 - Hobart, IN - The Hobart Art Theater
April 2 – Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
April 3 – Greenville, SC – Peace Center
April 4 – Cornelius, NC – Cain Center for the Arts
April 7 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live
April 9 – West Palm Beach, FL – Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
April 10 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
April 10-12 Miramar Beach, FL - Sound Wave Beach Weekend +
+Sold Out
2026 UK/Europe TourFebruary 1 - Antwerp, BE - De Roma
February 3 - Munich, DE - Backstage Werk
February 5 - Hamburg, DE - Fabrik
February 6 - Cologne, DE - Die Kantine
February 8 - Stuttgart, DE - Im Wizemann
February 9 - Zurich, CH - Kaufleuten Festsaal
February 10 - Milan, IT - Legend Club Milano
February 12 - Paris, FR - Alhambra
2026 Spring U.S. Tour
March 18 – Skokie, IL – North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
March 20 - Kent, OH - The Kent Stage
March 21 – Pittsford, NY – Beston Hall
March 22 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer
March 24 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel
March 25 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
March 27 – State College, PA – The State Theatre
March 28 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
March 29 - Oakmont, PA - The Oaks Theater
March 31 - Hobart, IN - The Hobart Art Theater
April 2 – Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
April 3 – Greenville, SC – Peace Center
April 4 – Cornelius, NC – Cain Center for the Arts
April 7 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live
April 9 – West Palm Beach, FL – Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
April 10 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
April 10-12 Miramar Beach, FL - Sound Wave Beach Weekend +
+Sold Out
“Every time you see her, you almost forget how good she is – but it’s also fair
to say that right now, she’s better than ever.” – Maximum Volume Music
“Joanne’s blues guitar style is mesmerising, and the solos are just delightful displays of exceptional playing that escalate the tracks to another level.” – Livewire Music
“Joanne Shaw Taylor paints ‘Black & Gold’ with a colourful palette, appealing to her established rootsier fans while broadening boundaries to entice a larger audience.”
– Rock and Blues Muse
to say that right now, she’s better than ever.” – Maximum Volume Music
“Joanne’s blues guitar style is mesmerising, and the solos are just delightful displays of exceptional playing that escalate the tracks to another level.” – Livewire Music
“Joanne Shaw Taylor paints ‘Black & Gold’ with a colourful palette, appealing to her established rootsier fans while broadening boundaries to entice a larger audience.”
– Rock and Blues Muse
The Palace Theatre is delighted to welcome critically acclaimed British Blues guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor when she brings her tour to Southend on Friday 30 January. The tour celebrates the recent release of Joanne’s critically acclaimed new studio album Black & Gold released by Journeyman Records.
Experience the magic of Joanne Shaw Taylor and her incredible band as they deliver a powerhouse performance featuring songs from her latest album, Black & Gold. Renowned for her electrifying guitar performances and soulful songwriting, Joanne’s vocals shine as she blends blues, rock, soul, and pop. The show also includes standout tracks from earlier albums and heartfelt tributes to classic blues legends. As one of today’s most dynamic performers, Joanne Shaw Taylor promises an unforgettable night of music.
The new album has received across-the-board rave reviews. Joanne will also perform songs from her rich back catalogue of albums including Heavy Soul, Nobody’s Fool, and The Blues Album which topped Billboard’s Official Blues Album Chart.
The Blues Album was voted #1 Most Played Blues Album of 2021 by the Independent Blues Broadcaster’s Association. Joanne will also perform select songs from her older album Reckless Heart, Wild, The Dirty Truth, Almost Always Never, Diamonds in the Dirt, and White Sugar.
One of the highlights from Joanne’s new Black & Gold album is “Look What I’ve Become”—a haunting reflection on addiction, isolation, and the moment of choosing whether to fight or let go. The gripping track blends minor-key blues intensity with the cinematic sweep of a Bond theme, anchoring some of Joanne’s most confessional songwriting and driving it home with her incredible signature guitar tone.
Discovered by Dave Stewart (the Eurythmics) as a mere 16-year-old, and subsequently invited to tour the world, Joanne's rise to stardom, propelled by endorsements from music giants like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, remains unmatched.
With a discography boasting chart-toppers like Reckless Heart, The Blues Album, and 2024’s Heavy Soul, Joanne is unstoppable. As she celebrates her rapturously received new studio album Black & Gold, fans can experience a cocktail of her signature guitar riffs, emotive vocals, and inspired songwriting.
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Friday 30 January 2026
Tickets: palacetheatresouthend.co.uk or 0343 310 0030
430 London Road, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS0 9LA
palacetheatresouthend.co.uk