Elles Bailey/Demi Marriner –
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds Sunday 6th April, 2025
Setlist: Sins/Distorted Desires/Repeat Refrain/On Way Conversation/Best Of Me/ Need To Know/Good Guy Act.
It is difficult to capture the arc of the atmosphere, the ambience that is created in the Apex. Firstly, the wooden architecture helps make a sound that amplifies the awesome aural enormity for us the audience.
Having said that, I was a bit worried this evening. I have reviewed Elles Bailey’s recent album ‘Beneath The Neon Glow’. I liked it a lot, having said that I thought it was a bit light weight for my tastes. The outstanding track for me is ‘Silhouette In A Sunset’. My hope is the pure Blues, Country and Soul get plenty of room to Rock in a live setting.
That’s enough of my rambling let’s get on with the gig. The quite delightful Demi Marriner & her Band opened the nights proceedings. I believe I had seen her before at Cambridge Junction, where she supported E. B. but that time, she was solo and just played acoustic. The less said about that gig the better as I had to abort do to a major malfunction.
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 9 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 8 |
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 Demi Marrier - Photograph 7 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 6 |
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 5 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 3 |
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 2 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 4 |
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 1 |
On this Sunday night she and her band immediately captured my attention with both her voice and beaming smile. The largely seated venue was treated to a beautiful 30-minute set which saw her joined on stage by the headliner, there is an obvious bond between the acts which would become more apparent later.
The gig kicked off with ‘Sin’. Her brand of Countrified infectious Blues saw our performer dazzle from the start, getting a very warm reception from the sold-out venue. ‘Repeat Refrain’ is beautifully gentle and enchanting, the delicate vocals creating goosebumps.
Demi is more than a rising star and is surely set for big things if this performance is anything to go by. Her talent and that of her band belong on a stage of this size. For 'Need To Know’ she was joined on stage by the headliner. The pair delighting all in attendance as they shared vocals. My lack of knowledge of her material made no difference to my enjoyment. It was simply wonderful from start to finish.
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 10 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 18 |
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 Demi Marrier - Photograph 17 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 16 |
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 15 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 14 |
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 13 |  Demi Marrier - Photograph 12 |
 Demi Marrier - Photograph 11 |
‘Best Of Me’ is written by Elles Bailey and shows the true connection between the artists. The performance concludes with ‘Good Guy Act’, as I said at the start Demi’s voice is pure her acoustic guitar playing superb. Just go and check her out!
Setlist: Enjoy The Ride/Leave The Light On/Ballad of A Broken Dream/1972/Over The Hill/Silhouette Sunset/Hell Or High Water/Truth Ain’t Gonna Save Us/Love Yourself/Better Days/Let It Burn/The Game/Is This Love/Sunshine City.
Encore: Turn Off The News/Riding out The Storm.
This would be my first encounter with Elles Bailey, her latest album, 'Beneath Neon Glow' is simply class and truly wetted my appetite to see just how those songs translate live. What I discovered was not only do they translate they come alive! Elles is a performer of class, world class, if you like Blues mixed with Soul plus a countrified edge you will love this artist.
I am going to start with the opener ‘Enjoy The Ride’, not because it starts the show but because that is exactly what we do, this evening is one amazing ride! It has the rhythm of a gentle steam train gliding through the countryside. This is followed by ‘Leave The Light On’ and I am transfixed as the effortless magic permeates the Apex, the sounds just blow me away, the guitar playing is glorious.
 Elles Bailey - Photograph 16 |  Elles Bailey - Photograph 15 |
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Elles praises everything about this venue, saying what an amazing place it is to finish the tour. ‘Ballad Of A Broken Dream’ captures the essence of Fleetwood Mac. It is mesmerising with the delicate keys enhancing superbly.
Before I forget, Demi Marriner is part of Elles band. This creates a continuity that my camera does it’s best to capture. ‘1972’ takes us back to a time when things were simpler, well less technical, it has a funky soul feel, the video transports us back perfectly to this time.
Moving on we arrive at my favourite song from Neon. Elles introduces it as a song she never envisaged being one that so many fans would sing a long to. She mentions how emotional it makes her feel every time she sings it. She never thought it would connect with people in the way that it has.
 Elles Bailey - Photograph 17 |  Elles Bailey - Photograph 31 |
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It was inspired by Australian Tamara Stewart. The two have become big friends. ‘Silhouette On A Sunset’ has a serene quality that touches all that hear it deeply… I think how it deals with friends, possibly previous lovers, is something we can all relate to.
I cannot explain just how magnificent Elles band are, Joe Wilkins (Guitar), Jonny Henderson (Keyboards/Piano), Matthew Jones (Percussion/Drums) and Matthew Waer (Bass) and of course, Demi Marriner herself (Acoustic Guitar/Vocals). The show has poignancy and fun.
 Elles Bailey - Photograph 33 |  Elles Bailey - Photograph 46 |
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Elles glides across the stage in her glittering outfit her voice and engagement with those present creates an intimacy that few can manage. We then get a chance to cheer or not to cheer for a song chosen by us the fans. We get 4 songs to pick from. It becomes unclear as to which song is the winner so Elles plays 2 of them.
The atmosphere is euphoric and simply cannot get any better, then it does as our star is joined on stage by When Rivers Meet vocalist, Grace Bond, Wow! The sheer joy and awesomeness that leaps from the stage is sensational, not only are they vocally superb there is clearly a deep bond and friendship.
We are now approaching the encore and you can feel the vibrancy and vibe everywhere. The penultimate song is ‘Turn Off The News’ if only that was possible would make us all a bit happier and less fearful. As ‘Riding Out The Storm’ finishes the Apex rises as one to give a standing ovation. What a musical masterclass from all involved.
 Elles Bailey - Photograph 61 |  Elles Bailey - Photograph 60 |
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Call it, Americana, Roots Rock whatever you want, Elles Bailey has a voice and personality that conveys a sense of pure beauty and elegance that eclipses everything so have seen before.
By Paul Mace