Long may the rise and rise of Americana rockers When Rivers Meet continue
When Rivers Meet, with support, Georgia Nevada
at Arlington Arts
on Friday, October 3
Reviewed by BRIAN HARRINGTON
WHEN a singer/songwriter is named after two American states it is fair to assume that she will be playing Americana.
Accurately, in my view, describing herself as “too country for rock and too rock for country” Georgia Nevada appeared tonight as a duo with lead guitarist Edward Robinson.
Opening with Right of The Dark she included an interesting and emotive cover of Jolene (which she and her band have dubbed Nolene) as well as the title track from her forthcoming album Pink Cadillac before finishing with the singalong track I Can Hear It.
The duo format tonight may have reduced the scope for variation, highs and lows in this 45-minute set.
I have seen When Rivers Meet on their two previous appearances at Arlington Arts and their continuing rise in popularity and prominence comes as no surprise. Appearing tonight as a six-piece they are firmly on the rock side of Americana, as is evidenced by their regular inclusion in Planet Rock Radio playlists and events.
Starting-out in 2016 When Rivers Meet are based around husband and wife Aaron and Grace Bond and it was clear from the packed audience tonight, who were singing along from the get go that many had travelled specifically for the show.
Opening with Free Man, Take Me To The River and Break Free they put on a great show. Grace’s voice soars while Aaron’s rocky riffs drive their sound on this, their Tree Of Life tour, apt as Grace announced that she has recently found that she is pregnant.
Their current album Addicted To You is standing at number four in the album chart and they played several tracks from it including the title track and the excellent Don’t Wanna Fight, which they juxtaposed with their 2020 song, from their We Fly Free album I Will Fight.
They concluded with the anthemic Did I Break The Law before a finale and an encore which included Play My Game and Want Your Love.
Long may the rise and rise of When Rivers Meet continue.
