Connor Selby – Live – QMU Glasgow

Review By Darren McIntyre Images by Scott Anderson

Connor Selby is a young blues troubadour who has been a well-travelled musician hailing from Essex via Dubai, Connecticut before returning to his roots and settling back in Essex. Connor has been voted Young Artist Of The Year 2020, 2021, and 2022 which has seen him rise in stature within the Blues / Americana fraternity, Connor has been fortunate to share the stage with the likes of The Who and played alongside such performers as Pearl Jam, Stereophonics, Johnny Mar @ BST in London. Connor has also played with the likes of Robert Cray & Beth Hart and later this month he will be part of Mark Knopfler’s charity single Going Home(Theme Of Local Hero), tonight he brings his infectious Blues / Americana vibe to Glasgow @ QMU so please ready yourself for this young swashbuckling musician as he goes solo tonight. The lights dim as Connor strolls into the arena to rippling applause takes his seat and prepares to hit us from the get-go with the awesome –

Falling In Love Again –  The track gets off the ground with a soulful guitar-laden track as he comes at us with a cool bluesy melodic riff that just sets the tone for this evening’s entertainment. Connor looks cool with his faded leather jacket and guitar in hand as this fantastic track builds and he brings us slick clean notes that are perfect for tonight’s entertainment as we settle into this foot-stomping groove as the young troubadour begins to feel the energy oozing from the room. We know little about this well-travelled young musician in the fact that he has done so much in a short space of time but you would think he has been treading stages all his life, we applauded loudly and that seemed to calm him  down as we flow into –
The Deep End –  The bluesy tones keep coming as the young maestro brings us a real soulful groove that lets the guitar show its worth and it settles this swelling crowd into their groove together as we get slick, clean licks that are just filling this fantastic venue as he lets the crowd feel the love from this foot-stomping track. Vocals are deep with groove and direction as we settle back and feel the energy oozing from the stage as they really kick it up a notch with a killer groove that may not excite many people but this audience is feeling the beat as this  young musician shows his  mettle as we slip into this incredible blues masterpiece that is

The Truth Comes Out Eventually – A real hypnotising lick oozes from the stage as this exciting blues musician brings out the big guns with this phenomenal track. The depth and emotion that is coming from this young man are just incredible as he works for the crowd and lets us feel the awesome talent that he is, he digs deep and musters all his strength as he pulls out all the stops and gives us a real Blues laden Americana groove track that is rounded off with his incredible musicianship as he lets his fingers do the talking for this excited Glasgow crowd. The young man certainly gets the applause as the crowd takes him to their hearts tonight as we roll into the bluesy groover that is-
That’s Alright – This is a real blues groover that showcases his sensational guitar licks as he pours his fantastic vocals into this cool arrangement. The funk element is just wonderful as Connor takes it up a notch with sizzling fingerwork that just excites this fantastic crowd, we are just swaying from side to side and stamping our feet with this deep blues assault that just gets us all worked up and feeling the love from this talented youngster.

The tone is sweet with a real sludgy riff that lets Connor come at us with sultry tones that are wrapped in colossal guitar work that is just sublime as he throws out a colossal solo that takes this gig to another level as the place sits up and takes notice of this fantastic musician. We catch our breathe for a bit before Connor hits us with the sensational
Love Letter To The Blues – As the tone oozes from the stage it almost feels like you are in a blues/jazz club that has just announced its headliner.

The deep meaningful vocals just cement this young scallywag as one to watch as he tells his own story of how the blues shaped him as a person. The tone is just breathtaking as we feel the depth of this epic musician as he cuts loose and gives us a killer track that is drenched in killer licks that will have you asking time and time again, who is that incredible guitarist? I am fortunate to call the wee man a friend as we have had many a chat about his career and where he is heading, I say to the top for sure as he is growing in stature, with bags of confidence that just shone through tonight, the place is appreciating this young musician who is far wiser than his young years would allow, we rock into the last track of the evening and it’s a classic in the form of Emily – The last track of the set brings a real gritty riffed intro that is deep with attitude and direction as Connor breaks out fantastic vocals that let this track shine.

The soulful feel makes this a real stand-out track as the crowd joins in and sings back the main words which put a smile on his face for sure, Connor is enjoying himself up there on stage as he rattles out the riffs that are bringing a different vibe to tonight’s entertainment for sure. The night is just warming up as he drives on and gives this track the best he can give tonight before Connor slips in with a killer solo that just raises the roof tonight as he smiles from ear to ear and just gives it all he has. Although the set was short and sweet it was full of cool licks and melodies that were sure to gather him some new fans as he thanked us for showing up and supporting live music.

Connor Selby  –
                        Connor Selby  –  Guitar / Vocals

Setlist  –
            Falling In Love Again
            The Deep End
            The Truth Comes Out Eventually
            That’s Alright
            Love Letter To The Blues
            Emily

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