Dylan Gossett at the Forum

The sweltering heat outside is the perfect backdrop for those donning their cowboy boots at Kentish Town’s Forum this evening. Dylan Gossett has brought the Texas summer with him to London alongside his electric set of guitars, banjos, harmonicas and more “Yeehaws!” than one will hear for the rest of the year.

His staging is simple, with only the red, white and blue of the Texas state flag as decoration, but that’s all he needs. Gossett skips onstage to wolf whistles and cheers and strides straight into Lone Ole Cowboy. It’s a perfect opener and the crowd sings every word in a mighty hello. The good old country twang is in full force already, and he nails every belt and vocal flip in what is the start of what is a night of flawless vocals.

To Be Free, his first ever release, is up next and the volume soars, the energy keeping up as he flows into Tree Birds. The harmonica is a real treat and earns a well-deserved applause every time. Such a distinct sound, it fills the room with the warmth of country music. Toes are tapping as the melody of If I Had A Lover rolls off the tongue.

Song About You slows us down slightly as he slips into a minor key and shows off his vocals once more. They’re even more impressive in Running from the Sun, a part in the show where he commands the stage on his own, just his guitar and his voice.

One of the best moments is actually a cover. The opening chords of The House of the Rising Sun crackle through the audience as Gossett and his band play what may just be a perfect cover. It fits in seamlessly with the rest of the set and allows a display of incredible guitar skills and a truly memorable breakdown. The crowd is aptly wowed and it ends in some of the loudest screams of the night.

Fans have so clearly loved every bit of this concert, dancing and stomping and whopping every chance they get, chanting each word like gospel. Gossett has been a charming host, having fun onstage, and bouncing off his band. He doesn’t talk much between songs, instead letting his guitar talk for him, his lyrics laced with the storytelling sincerity country music is so famous for. He ends with Somewhere Between, a raw song of belonging, and the Forum sings back to him with full force, not quite wanting to leave just yet.

Talitha Stowell
Photos: Mike Garnell

For further information and future events visit Dylan Gossett’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Somewhere Between here: