Laura Cox – Live at The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Review By Darren McIntyre
There are some artists who simply play music… and then there are artists like Laura Cox, who live it through every note, every riff, and every ounce of energy they pour into the stage. Returning to Edinburgh’s intimate yet atmospheric Voodoo Rooms for the first time since 2019, the Anglo-French guitar sensation delivered a thunderous, emotionally charged performance that proved exactly why she continues to rise as one of modern blues-rock’s most exciting talents.
The evening nearly got off to a disastrous start when a fire alarm forced the packed venue to evacuate just before showtime. Yet, rather than dampen spirits, the unexpected delay only intensified the anticipation bubbling around the room. Once the all-clear was finally given and fans flooded back inside, the venue was rammed wall-to-wall, ready for Laura Cox and her band to unleash chaos.
And chaos came in the form of the explosive opener “Rise Together.”
Straight from the off, Laura’s incredible fingerwork lit up the venue. Her guitar tone was sharp, rich, and full of grit, while the chemistry between the band was immediate and undeniable. It’s impossible not to notice how much Laura has evolved since her last Edinburgh appearance. There’s a confidence and authority to her performance now that elevates everything around her.
That momentum only intensified with “If You Wanna Get Loud (Come To The Show),” a title that quickly became a mission statement for the evening. Laura teased the crowd, asking if they were ready for a rock show, and the deafening response that came back was all the encouragement she needed. Kicking into gear with a slick stompbox setup and crushing riffs, the room erupted into life as the band locked into a fierce groove.
Throughout the night, Laura balanced power with emotion beautifully. “A Way Home” carried a soaring melodic weight, while “Bad Luck Blues” slowed things down with smoky, haunting intensity. Then came “Out Of The Blue,” a standout moment that highlighted not only Laura’s commanding guitar ability but also her growth as a songwriter. There’s depth and honesty in these newer songs that connect instantly with the audience.
Tracks like “Dancing Around The Truth,” “Not Your Story,” and “So Long” kept the set flowing effortlessly, each bringing a different texture and mood while maintaining the fiery blues-rock backbone that defines her sound.
One of the night’s biggest surprises arrived midway through the set with a cover of The Smiths’ “Big Mouth.” In a moment nobody saw coming, Laura swapped her guitar for the drum kit while Antonin moved across to keys alongside Leo. It was spontaneous, fun, and brilliantly executed—a reminder that this band thrives on musicianship and chemistry as much as raw performance.
As the set powered toward its finale, “The Broken,” “One Big Mess,” and “No Need To Try Harder” showcased a band completely in sync, feeding off the crowd’s energy with every passing song. By the time “Trouble Coming” landed, the entire venue was singing along, fully invested in the anthemic closer.
Of course, Edinburgh wasn’t letting Laura Cox leave without an encore.
Returning to huge applause, the band launched into “Do I Have Your Attention,” before finishing with the blistering “Hard Blues Shot,” a track that still hits with the same punch and swagger that first introduced many fans to Laura’s sound years ago.
What stood out most tonight was the strength of the new material. With eight songs from the upcoming “Trouble Coming” album making the setlist, Laura Cox showed complete faith in her latest work—and rightly so. The songs are bigger, bolder, and packed with hooks, emotion, and world-class musicianship.
Laura Cox isn’t just revisiting Edinburgh anymore—she’s conquering it. And if tonight was anything to go by, “Trouble Coming” may well be the album that launches her into an entirely new league.
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