REVIEW: Josh Okeefe and Lindi Ortega @ Gorilla, 12/06

Josh OKeefe and Lindi Ortega both turned Gorilla into a night of celebration, each playing a set of moody yet uplifting neo-folk.

O’Keefe was on slightly before his stage time to a crowd that, whilst not particularly busy, was captured in rapture of his raspy-before-its-time voice. His unique accent (he was born in Derby and spent a large portion of his life in Tennessee) helps to sell songs as varied in subject matter as the political Grenfell Tower Fire to his personal tales of growing up across countries, such as Cigarettes. He’s charmingly goofy, explaining his need for glasses whilst choosing the correct harmonica in an awkward but endearing manner.

The headline act was none other than Lindi Ortega, the proverbial bad-girl of the folk scene; unafraid to call out sexism, bias and bro-country throughout her set of at times blistering tunes. Set highlights included tracks taken from this years Liberty album.

Lindi is recently married and that passion and happiness shines through the set; even the songs about death (“I have about seven songs with died in the title!”) seem slightly less morose than they perhaps should, but this upbeat atmosphere works perfectly.

More than just a folk set, or a country set, this included some riffs to rival the hardest rock bands and blistering solos from guitarist Champagne James. Overall, the night is a joyous celbration of two genres often overlooked in hte mainstream and a triumphant moment for the fans gathered here.

#folk #country #lindiortega #joshokeefe #gorilla