Bywater Call – A Soul-Soaked, Sweaty Triumph at The Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon

Images By Ken Jackson Review By Jace Media Music

There are intimate gigs… and then there are nights like this. Bywater Call’s show at The Tuesday Night Music Club in Coulsdon didn’t just sell out—it felt like the entire room had been charged with some kind of musical electricity the moment doors opened. Every seat was gone, there were no tickets on the door, and a queue wrapped around the building as fans hoped for last-minute miracles. Those lucky enough to snag a place knew they were in for something special, but Bywater Call delivered far beyond expectation.

Formed in 2017 and already decorated with Independent Blues and Maple Blues Award nominations, Bywater Call have built a reputation for soul-drenched blues, scorching musicianship, and the kind of emotional weight that makes an audience feel every note in their bones. Last night, they proved exactly why European and North American festivals have been singing their praises — and why Meghan is fast becoming recognised as one of the finest blues and roots vocalists on the circuit today.

From the moment the seven-piece unit stepped onto the TNMC stage, the room erupted with a warmth usually reserved for returning heroes. This was, after all, the first stop of their UK tour—a “secret” gig in name only, as word of mouth had clearly done its job. The band launched into their opener with tight, soulful precision, the kind that only comes from relentless touring across Europe, the USA, and Canada.

Meghan’s vocals were nothing short of breathtaking. Her voice soared, cracked, pleaded, and roared — a masterclass in emotional storytelling wrapped in blues grit and gospel fire. Every time she leaned into a lyric, the crowd seemed to lean with her. The Dutch and German media weren’t exaggerating; she is genuinely one of the best female voices in blues and roots today.

But this was far from a one-woman show. With seven musicians on stage, Bywater Call created a rich tapestry of sound that filled the room from wall to wall. The guitar lines were fiery but tasteful, the keys shimmering with vintage soul, and the rhythm section tight as steel but bursting with groove. The horn section — always a highlight — brought swagger, warmth, and explosive energy, lifting each song into the rafters.

It’s no wonder their performances at festivals like Moulin Blues or Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise have earned such acclaim. Last night, in the close-up setting of TNMC, the band felt simultaneously arena-ready and deeply personal. You could see the sweat, the smiles, the playful glances between musicians — the sheer joy of a band who love what they do and do it at a world-class level.

The crowd responded in kind, erupting after every solo, hanging onto every quiet moment, and rewarding the band with the loudest cheers TNMC has heard in months. By the end of the night, the room was buzzing, breathless, and united in one overwhelming sentiment: this was an outstanding evening. The photos I took – honestly, still don’t capture the magic fully. Bywater Call didn’t just kick off their UK tour; they lit the fuse for what promises to be one of the most talked-about blues tours of the year.

A flawless night of soul, blues, musicianship, and heart. Coulsdon won’t forget it anytime soon.