Chloe, Josephine and friends at the Tuesday Night music club

As is often the case on a Tuesday evening, I found myself among the familiar, patient queue of music lovers outside the Comrades Club in Coulsdon, home of the Tuesday Night Music Club. Tonight we were looking forward to seeing Chloe Josephine and her band. I’d expected the usual four-piece setup, but one look at the stage, which was a forest of microphones and an impressive array of guitars, hinted that this would be something far more ambitious.

Spotting Alex Voysey nearby only added to the sense that we were in for a special night. In the end, a heavily pregnant Chloe was joined by an impressive ensemble: Jonathan Fashole-Luke (JFL) on keys; Marlene Hill and Gloria Miller on backing vocals; Chloe’s husband Jon Parkins and Chris Wood on guitars; and Julian Caesar on drums. As the musicians mounted the stage, Richard Dunning took his place on stage, comfortably seated in the onstage armchair, to introduce the band and explain the ethos of the club to those on their first visit.

Chloe then arrived to enthusiastic applause, opening with the title track from her latest EP, Rebloom, in a beautifully delivered performance. She moved easily through her songs, including Recognise, Feels Like Forever, and Getting Friendly. Between songs, Chloe’s trademark openness shone through.

Her candid storytelling, touching on shared pregnancies with her sister, the relentless passage of time, and the importance of pausing to reflect, gave the audience an even deeper connection to the music. She readily admits to being an “over-sharer”, and it’s hard to disagree; I think I know more about Chloe, her husband Jon, her sister, and her mother and father than I do about some of my closest friends.

Alex Voysey joined those on stage towards the close of the first set, with a promise that more was to come after the break. Following a short interval, the band returned for a longer and equally engaging second set. Though I didn’t manage to grab a setlist, highlights included Liquid Gold and Worrying, both featuring excellent keyboard work from JFL. Alex Voysey rejoined for Too Much of a Good Thing, adding further depth to the already rich sound.

Marlene Hill and Gloria Miller, who had been subtly enhancing the vocals throughout, truly came into their own during a rousing gospel number, written by Chloe, that had the audience fully engaged and singing along. It was one of those moments that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening. As the set progressed, it was clear Chloe was feeling the physical demands of the performance. The room was warm, the set lengthy, and with her due date fast approaching, not to mention a baby seemingly keeping time with the music, it was remarkable that she powered through with such energy.

A standout moment came with a beautiful rendition of Natural Woman before the band stepped back to leave Chloe and Jon Parkins alone on stage. Together, they performed a deeply personal song written for their unborn daughter, Florence. Sitting in their garden during the summer last year, I felt privileged to hear such a touching and intimate highlight that perfectly reflected Chloe’s love of sharing. The band returned for what seemed like the final number, All Along, drawing a standing ovation from an appreciative audience.

But of course, there was time for one more. They closed with the triumphant I Wear What I Want To, delivered with confidence and joy, a fitting end to an outstanding evening. The Tuesday Night Music Club remains a magical place, where friends gather, stories are shared, and music truly comes alive. Thank you, Richard Dunning, and Martin and Ross Davey on the sound desk.