It is always a delight to welcome a band to St harmonica’s for the first time and especially when they have been creating quite a stir on the scene. Elsie and the Rockettes is Elsie Franklin’s all-female, all-acoustic blues trio. Elsie plays country-blues and ragtime (a mixture of covers and fresh new originals) with a combination of fingerstyle and slide on her trusty steel National resonator guitar. Her style has been described as “steeped in history, yet utterly fresh”. When she is joined by Spanish blues drummer Roni Reeds and double-bassist Francesca Shaw the passion and energy on stage is infectious. The sound of traditional acoustic blues instruments (double bass, resonator guitar, brushes and washboard) combined with each of the girls' natural feel for the genre creates an indisputably authentic experience for their audiences.
The three of them are dear friends and share both an aptitude and love for early country blues that they pour into every performance. All three based in London, they are getting audiences dancing and (sometimes) laughing all over the UK.
Support comes in the highly accomplished and entertaining form of Simon Hindley on vocals and guitar joined by Little Paul on vocals and harmonica.
Support starts at 8.30pm followed by two sets from Elsie and the Rockettes starting just after 9.00pm.