LIVE REVIEW: C2C COUNTRY TO COUNTRY 2025 - BBC RADIO 2 & SPOTLIGHT STAGE - KEZIA GILL

Each year the Indigo Stage normally throws up a performance that is not just good it can sometimes define the whole weekend in a way that the Main Stage acts cannot, for we know what is expected of them. A few memorable events that spring to mind are; Lainey Wilson's early show after a blistering All Bar One show the previous night, Lanco leaping off stage into the audience or Drake Milligan's show that had folk saying they had seen the next Elvis. Among the many fine performances from the Indigo Stage this year, and there were quite a few memorable ones, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

For Kezia Gill this was to be a big weekend, not just playing the Indigo Stage, but owning it and then later taking to the Main Arena Spotlight Stage and not just being the filler while the stage is repositioned, and patrons look to either fill up or empty themselves.This was a true show within a show and received a response like no other Spotlight performer.

Introduced at The Indigo by Radio 2's Bobbie Prior as "Homegrown talent", things would immediately step up a level, the volume, the expectation, all just increased.

As Kezia bounced on to the stage in a sparkling outfit that caught the light magnificently, it was not to an old favourite but one destined to become a new one, the first outing for  "Dublin's Out Of Whiskey! a track from her next album. It's one of a series of things never likely to happen such as "Nashville's out of country", This was so loud it made your ribcage and inner organs vibrate!

This was a UK crowd cheering for a UK artist, who would go wild with a tune they knew "Misfit". Kezia would attack every line, even at one point dropping to her knees, Luke Thomas on guitar would be outstanding and the crowd were actually dancing around in their enjoyment. Not wanting to waste a second, Kezia would introduce "Whiskey Over Ice" while still taking in gulps of air. This song would see the Indigo reverberate to the crowd singing along as one, almost drowning out Kezia as she sung the song title.

The origins of "Country Song" were traced back to it's source - The Indigo Afterparty - it would see Luke and Kezia go back to back. Songs went by in a blur "Live It Up" and "Sweet Spot" passed in moments, the second included a round of applause for Luke's guitar solo. It was also the song that saw the whole of the Indigo swaying along. One final song to finish off an exhilarating set was naturally "Whiskey Drinking Woman", Kezia firing out the lines like a latter-day Johnny Cash, The crowd clapping along to the drums - the whole set - an unqualified success.

The Indigo was merely the hors d'œuvre - wonderful as it was - the icing on the cake was a chance to step out into the Main Arena. Now it could be pointed out that both the Shires and Ward Thomas were afforded similar opportunities however both had major record company backing - Kezia has not only now set the bar high for independent artists, but has also instilled the hope for every UK artist playing on stages across the land, that one day, this could be them..

Stepping out after a heartfelt introduction from The Shires in a breathtaking red outfit, along with guitarist Luke Thomas, this was her chance to shine. The opening line of "House Of Cards" - "Can I have your attention?" doubling up as a request to the assembled audience - it was a neat touch - and rest assured everyone was glued, The opening forty seconds or so just Kezia and her guitar before things speeded up. A further lyric offered another ideal opportunity -

"As I stand out in the spotlight" saw Kezia elegantly raise her hand just to nail it home!

From where #TEAMw21 were sat there was something a little surreal about looking up and seeing Kezia's visage beaming out from all of the big diamond vision screens simultaneously.

Kezia's second choice sent out another subliminal message - "This Perfect Night" was a summation of the whole evening - "I'm praying tonight my dreams come true!". Finishing on a big extended note everything went perfectly to plan. Signing off by reminding the crowd of her name it was time to launch into her third and final tune "Whiskey Drinking Woman". Luke Thomas was name checked and got to play an acoustic solo. Extending out the final 3 words of the song over many syllables, even twirling her fingers in the air to emphasise it more - this was Mission Impossible accomplished.

The talk afterwards from Bob Harris was could Kezia go further and be the first UK act to perform from the Main Stage? Bearing in mind that some of the US "Main Stage" performers had clearly never played to a crowd anywhere near the size of the O2 and were somewhat overwhelmed - is there any reason why she couldn't? - We like to think not and await to see what happens next year.

Indigo Photos by: Ruby Gaunt

Arena Photos by: London Back Line Photography / Luke Dyson