LIVE: Bill Ryder Jones wows at sold-out homecoming show at Floral Pavilion

An icy night soon turned to a hot sticky evening after Bill Ryder Jones took to the stage for his sell out show at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, courtesy of Harvest Sun promotions.

As part of his UK Ta Tah tour, the night was one of the last chances fans got to hear tracks from his latest album, West Kirby County Primary before he locks himself away in his West Kirby studio, to make a new album on Domino.

Support from local lads By The Sea who have a sound very much like Echo and The Bunnymen went down a treat whilst Bill's latest protege and talented songwriter, Matt Maltese was the talking point of the room after opening the show.

By The Sea frontman, Liam Power had a brief spell off stage it was time for him to push through the crowd and jump back on to perform as part of Bill's live band.

By The Sea

With War Room records co-bosses, Danny Castree manning the sound desk and Joe Edwards on the keys, the evening was already in well-trusted hands.

Along with very high points there were deep lows with tracks such as Daniel showing Bill's apt ability to manipulate his guitar to work with his very delicate and in times frank lyrics.

Crowd chanting songs back to him seemed to push the GIT Award winner to another dimension, himself bewildered.

The humble musician talked to the crowd and picked out "love you's" and the like from jeering drunkards while announcing his performance at a Jeremy Corbyn rally on December 16 at the Brighton Dome.

An occurring joke of someone leaning on the light switch erupted the audience into fits of laughter after the lights raised several times during the evening.

Aside from the comedy, Bill's set was mindlessly beautiful.

Songs tipping their cap to local landmarks such as Catharine and Huskisson and Two To Birkenhead captured the imaginations of everyone who gawped at someone so normal performing something so effortless.

Taking a break from the stage, the band left Bill to do his thing.

Sat just at the side of the stage with their cans of lager, the lads watched their friend play tracks such as Seabirds and By Morning I while members of the crowd hushed others who were talking loudly over the music.

Returning, the show ended with Satellites, a high-powered romantically poetic track with a truly heartwarming response, crowning the set of all sets as one of historical music importance.

Watching a man in a checked top, baggy jeans and retro trainers sing something so meaningful and poignant all night seemed so unrealistic but this was real, this happened.

For more information visit www.billryderjones.co.uk

Words Lauren Jones