Ellie Gowers at Coventry Food Union's "Song & Soil"

Photo: Andy Holdcroft

As my previous reviews have made clear, there is something spiritually & emotionally cleansing about attending any of the Coventry Food Union events whether in the intimacy of the Wyley Chapel in the crypt under the Coventry Cathedral ruins or the wildly differing open spaces of the cathedrals themselves or as yesterday their base in the Sherbourne Valley Allotments. Part of that is their own values & the nature of the gigs, part is the actual environment and a big part is the choice of musical artist.

This time the event was a special "Song & Soil" one to practice & celebrate apple pressing (look out for the resultant cider at their Winter Wassail on December 21^st) and the special guest the wholly appropriate Ellie Gowers.

Given the many songs she has written advocating green policies & approaches to the world, she fitted in perfectly to the setting & the atmosphere and she shared several of them with the gathering round the campfire on a day when we were blessed with ideal warm autumn sunshine for an outdoor gig.

Given the number of times I've seen Ellie, with a lesser artist this might restrict the potential for surprises. But not so here. In terms of her set for example, she aired not only her upcoming single "Tadoussac" (which is out on October 30^th) but other tracks from her next album (watch out for that in Spring 2027 and for a special local launch concert) including one called "Dachshund" inspired by watching two of the breed at Bristol Temple Meads station. Though if you think that's what the song is "about" then you probably aren't familiar with her writing process.

At the risk of anticipating my single review too much, "Tadoussac" was very apt as it is (to some extent) about sensations and these include smells. I've never listened to Ellie with the scent of a log fire before and that seemed very fitting.

I've also, having thought about it long and hard, not seen her perform sitting down before. If this seems a bit odd, then it's probably due to the passion of her performances which I've mentioned so often before, which sees so much movement. On this unique occasion, you'll be glad to know that the passion was not dimmed but the constant foot tapping was still there with a great deal of added chair rocking. She also had no mic either but I'm sure I've seen her thusly in the past occasionally.

And it's her 30^th birthday today so I'm sure you'll join with me in wishing her all the best

 You can catch Ellie relatively locally next at the Hare & Hounds in Birmingham on Wednesday 18^th November (tickets via: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Birmingham/Hare-And-Hounds-Kings-Heath/Ellie-Gowers/42435757/)

The next Food Union musical events are:

Tuesday 27^th October Family Song & Soil

Saturday 7^th November Song & Soil Bonfire Gathering