Blake Mills at Union Chapel, gig review: Rich and soulful beyond his years

Union Chapel gig was like a lengthy jamming session

Blake Mills

Just after producing Alabama Shakes’ new LP Sound & Color, Blake Mills is in the UK showing off his solo work.

As a session musician Mills has worked with everyone from Band Of Horses to Neil Diamond, and during his live performance it is completely evident as to why he is in such high demand.

Along with a voice that is rich and soulful beyond his years, the 28-year-old shows no interest in the usual expectations of electric guitar.

Much of the set is like a lengthy jamming session: Mills becomes engrossed by delicate finger picking and enough distortion to make him apologise to the man who has to retune after each track.

In "Wintersong" from his 2010 debut Break Mirrors, with drawn-out notes that crawl down the spine like ice, an outro with Jesca Hoop's wonderful accompanying vocals recalls the to-and fro-ing of Fleetwood Mac.

"Don’t Tell Our Friends About Me" is the single from 2014’s Heigh Ho; ill-fated for airplay from the start with its agonised repetition of ‘I know I f***ed up’.

Mills has proven himself as a musical virtuoso who is more than capable of setting out on his own. The only question is where he goes next.