BY MICHAEL CHOWNE

Ian Flavill at Alter States Promotions consistently puts on brilliant nights of live music in Chelmsford, recently rebranded as Live at Acanteen, and Thursday 10th September 2026 was up there with the best of them.

Katy Hurt, born in London but raised in the USA, is always worth travelling to see and, together with her partner Gab Zsapka, put on a scintillating show. Katy is one of the UK’s finest country singers but, more than that, she’s also a real entertainer and a great storyteller who just gets better and better. So lovely to see Katy and Gab having so much fun up there.

In what I think was a 14 song set, we got 6 from Katy’s superb 2025 album ‘Gimme A Break’, 3 from her classic 2019 EP ‘Unfinished Business’ (how is it so long ago? These songs still sound fresh!), 1 cover and, most pleasingly of all, 4 unrecorded songs that may well feature on the soon to be recorded 2nd album. If these songs (‘Let It Rain’, ‘Go Right Now’, ‘If I Were You’ and one I didn’t catch the name of – possibly ‘All I Need’?) are anything to go by we’re in for a treat!

Katy loves what she called Crooner Country and the cover she chose was a beautiful one too – ‘The Blue Train’ from the Trio II album of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris.

Earlier Jess Klein, originally from New York but now living in North Carolina, had opened the evening with a lovely solo set of beautifully authentic americana/folk. Jess has been creating music for over 30 years and told some wonderful stories, particularly about her times living amongst other musicians (relayed in ‘Annie’s Place’ from her 2023 album ‘When We Rise’).

I loved ‘Shonalee’ from her 2005 album ‘Strawberry Lover’ and will now need to revisit her new album from earlier this summer ‘Dreaming Aloud’. I could tell that, with Jess, it’s all about the songwriting so that’s one to play close attention to the lyrics I’m sure.

Such a lovely vibe in the room last night – a real pleasure to be there!