Ron Pope with Emily Scott Robinson at The Garage, London 30th Jan 2025 Review

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BY LESLEY HASTINGS

All Images courtesy of Lesley Hastings

Ron Pope. A name that’s been familiar to me for quite some time but whose music I’ve not explored (apologies, Ron). All that changed recently, though when I was sent an advance of his upcoming album “American Man, American Music” due for release via Brooklyn Basement Records on February 14th. Described by Ron as “an ode to the life I’m living now, the journey it took me to get here and all the people I’ve known and loved along the way“,  the ten tracks drew me in both lyrically and sonically,  from the beautiful and gentle love song “In The Morning With The Coffee On” to the more gritty commentary on opioid addiction “I Gotta Change (Or I’m Gonna Die)” and everything in between. As much as I dislike comparing artists, I have to say that in places he brought to mind both Dylan and American Aquarium front man BJ Barham. I trust neither are an insult, Ron.

The chance to catch him live couldn’t be passed by, so off I headed to The Garage in North London where Ron was rounding off the European leg of his “Neon and Glass World Tour” 

It was a busy night for country and Americana gigs in the capital, so it was great to see this one so well attended. Ron has been a frequent visitor to our shores over the years, amassing a loyal fanbase who he didn’t forget to thank for their ongoing support towards the end of  his 90 minute set. 

But before he took to the stage , opening the evening’s proceedings was a fabulous artist I’d seen live a couple of times before, Emily Scott Robinson, who once again impressed with her stunning vocals, warm, engaging personality and impressive songwriting. We’ve had no new music from Emily for some time, so it was great to hear she’s heading to the studio this Spring to record her next album (expect some singles later in the year) and if the song “Bless It All” (apologies if that’s the incorrect title!) which she showcased is anything to go by we are in for a treat. Also on her set list was fan favourite “Cheap Seats” which got a big cheer as she introduced it and Emily seemed genuinely taken aback that we were familiar with the song.  Such a humble artist, which I find very refreshing these days. 

While as explained earlier I was a “Ron Pope virgin”, I was definitely in the minority at the show,  as it was clear from the moment he and his three – piece band stepped onto the stage (which looked beautiful, by the way, adorned with fairy light and candles) that there was a lot of love in the room for the Nashville-based artist, who hailed originally from New Jersey but spent his formative years in Georgia. Dedicated fans recognised familiar songs from the first few notes of their introduction, many singing and dancing along, and then listened intently to the new material he showcased. 

I can’t continue without mentioning the brilliant musicians (who also did a stellar job on backing vocals) sharing the stage with Ron and who he introduced fairly early on  (I loved that!). On bass/ mandolin was his longtime friend and collaborator Zach Berkman (they co-wrote his break out song “A Drop In The Ocean” which obviously made the set list), Kaitlyn Raitz was just phenomenon on cello/ violin and standing in at short notice on drums for ailing band member Matt Scibilia was London’s Ollie Sears . 

The set was a fantastic mix of several of Ron’s more punchy songs, appropriately performed by all four musicians (who were all seemingly enjoying themselves as much as we were in the audience!) including set opener “Nobody’s Gonna Make it out Alive“, “Hell or High Water”, “Mama Drove a Mustang” and “Can’t Stay Here“,  as well as gorgeous ballads. Ron switched from guitar/harmonica to the piano for achingly beautiful renditions of a couple of oldies, “In My Bones” and “Fireflies” and one particularly poignant moment saw him alone on stage at the piano to perform “Love Is A Thing You Do”  which he explained is a song he all too often has to sing to his wife across the ocean when he’s away touring…… but not on this occasion as she was in the audience. I must add that whatever Ron is singing about, it is always conveyed with passion and conviction. And his dedication and love for his craft is undeniable. 

One particularly magical section of the set was when Ron, Zach and Kaitlyn unplugged and came down into the audience (“It’s like being at the zoo….look but don’t touch!” Ron warned us) for “I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon” before the three returned to the stage still unplugged to huddle around a shared microphone, reminiscent of  “doo-wop style” I thought,  for a couple more songs including a cover of Jackson Browne’s “These Days”. It transpired that Jackson was a good friend of Ron’s uncle, and gave some great advice when Ron was signed to a record label, something most aspiring artist dream about, but he unexpectedly found he was deeply unhappy as a result … Jackson basically told him to go with his gut, and said that everyone you remember did it their own way. No surprise that Ron is now back to releasing music independently! 

The next song, “Perfect For Me” was described by Ron as the “Bach & Roll” section of the set (a term he admitted to stealing!) and all became clear when Kaitlyn played the most sublime classical introduction to the song on cello . 

 Emily was welcomed back on stage to join Ron and the band for “I’m Not The Devil” taken from the new album (we heard how she was practically a family member as far as Ron was concerned, and Emily had mentioned during her set how indebted she was to him and his wife for changing her life when they met back in 2018 at her first show in Nashville). 

After the aforementioned “Drop In The Ocean”  everyone left the stage with Ron returning to perform an acoustic version of his current single “The Life In Your Years“, telling us it’s usually a prayer for those he leaves behind at home but on this occasion he was dedicating it to all of us…..and so ended what had been the most incredible evening on so many levels. I headed into the chilly night air feeling my heart and soul had been suitably recharged, a massive thank you to everyone involved in such a wonderful evening. 

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