Eve Selis
Venue: Civic Theatre
Town: Gosforth
Date: 17th July 2025
Website: https://www.eveselis.com/
Singer songwriter Randi Driscoll is on the road with Eve and has opened all previous shows, unfortunately, this didn't' happen in Gosforth, as The Archie Brown Trio were booked to support. I didn't initially recognise the name, but recalled seeing them on the outside stage at SummerTyne years ago. They took us through a selection of their songs, from blues to country. Standout tracks were Masquerade of Clowns, Venus in the East (likely the first song I've heard about teabags)Their song about Joe Hill and Shields Road; their tongue in cheek homage to Byker, which was a hit with the locals.
I first saw Eve Selis the fist time she played SummerTyne festival at Sage Gateshead, now The Glasshouse, back in 2006. This is her first return, to Newcastle and to the UK, since 2019. In her own words, a lot has happened since then, beginning with a worldwide pandemic, then she experienced several hard events, one after an other.
This tour is rather different from anything she's done before: sharing that her newest album, a dark Sky Blue is about coming the rough the darkness into the light and healing, she wants to share her journey with, and use it, to help others. Before the show even began, she was out in the foyer, delivering typical Eve hugs to anyone she recognized.
She came out on stage looking very elegant in a gorgeous black dress with matching boots. Without even saying a word, she delivered a heart stopping performance of Dark Sky Blue, which had both her and myself in tears - I'm sure we weren't alone. As soon as I heard that voice, it was clear she is back. She then, for those who didn't know, told her story - she lost her brother to gun violence and, as she so eloquently put it, he was on the wrong side of the gun. That made the net song, Monster, all the more poignant; the lyrics grappling with the acceptance that addiction is at fault, not the person. A poignant thought was shared which will stay with me - "Forgiveness is a cage with the door wide open; all you have to do is walk out."
She introduced her band for this tour; Dave Hornberger on cello, Sam Hunt on guitar and Randi Driscoll on keys. What a fabulous group of musicians - Eve certainly knows how to pick them! Shoutout at this point to Marc, Larry, Jim and Sharon, who were missed, thought of and fondly remembered tonight! Hope we see you down the road!
Next was a song she wrote for her brother's children, inspired by someone telling her "You don't know the end of the story; her attempt to speak hope into existence. This was followed by There Will Come a Time, written with Kim McLean, on a mountain retreat.
She talked at length about her fond memories of England and of Newcastle/Gateshead and how it feels like coming home. I think many of us present also had an overwhelming sense that Eve had finally come home, too.
Waves, a beautiful song, talks of how feelings come and go, literally like waves in the ocean. Grace, she told us was inspired during a trip to London, where she hugged trees, as instructed by a healer she met, then listened to the song of the same title by U2. She decided there and then to write a song of her own on the theme of grace, It seems incredibly fitting to the theme of the album.
Love Only Knows continued the theme of hope, inspired by the phrase "God only knows." Randi played an improvised drum for this one, which sounded fabulous.
Speaking of Randi, as she missed her support slot, Eve invited her to play us one of her songs. Talking about her songwriter circle, Randi's Revival, she in turn invited Eve to sing harmonies, which were beautiful. Happy Hour in Heaven, is another hopeful song about loss and Randi's voice really impressed me. I hope we get to see her again - she said we would, so I'll hold her to that!
The latter two songs were performed with the Caedmon Choir, who added a beautiful extra layer to the lyrics.
The choir then performed a stirring and fitting version of John Martin's I Don't Wanna Know, arranged by Karine Polwart.
The penultimate song of the evening was Eve's retalling of the story of The Little Prince; See Me With Your Heart - I think tonight she saw us as much as we saw her. Reminscing about the show where Lucy Wainright Roche opened for her and she fell in love with Wild Mountain Thyme, she invited the choir and us to sing with her. What a gorgeous way to bring the evening to a close.
I can honestly say this was the most emotional show I have ever experienced; Eve openly and willingly shared her story with dignity, courage, compassion and humanity, in a way I'm not sure I have ever experienced before and perhaps never will again. It's rare that a performer allows us to see their vulnerability but when they do, it is powerful beyond words. A very different show from what we've seen from Eve previously, but all the more special for it.
Eve acknowledged that we are all going through things, which was her motivation to share in this way. I suspect that many of these songs will reach people in ways even she cannot imagine. Even just considering everything going on in the world around us, a musical journey from dark into light was a welcome tonic.
Of course, after the show, she was waiting to give hugs to anyone who was open to them and have a chat. As was Randi. Lovely, lovely, humans
Thankyou Eve and band, for a truly memorable evening, Please come back soon and until then, as per your request of us all, I choose love. We'll be waiting with hugs whenever you're ready to come and get them!
Helen Mitchell
Eve SelisSinger songwriter Randi Driscoll is on the road with Eve and has opened all previous shows, unfortunately, this didn't' happen in Gosforth, as The Archie Brown Trio were booked to support. I didn't initially recognise the name, but recalled seeing them on the outside stage at SummerTyne years ago. They took us through a selection of their songs, from blues to country. Standout tracks were Masquerade of Clowns, Venus in the East (likely the first song I've heard about teabags)Their song about Joe Hill and Shields Road; their tongue in cheek homage to Byker, which was a hit with the locals.
I first saw Eve Selis the fist time she played SummerTyne festival at Sage Gateshead, now The Glasshouse, back in 2006. This is her first return, to Newcastle and to the UK, since 2019. In her own words, a lot has happened since then, beginning with a worldwide pandemic, then she experienced several hard events, one after an other.
This tour is rather different from anything she's done before: sharing that her newest album, a dark Sky Blue is about coming the rough the darkness into the light and healing, she wants to share her journey with, and use it, to help others. Before the show even began, she was out in the foyer, delivering typical Eve hugs to anyone she recognized.
She came out on stage looking very elegant in a gorgeous black dress with matching boots. Without even saying a word, she delivered a heart stopping performance of Dark Sky Blue, which had both her and myself in tears - I'm sure we weren't alone. As soon as I heard that voice, it was clear she is back. She then, for those who didn't know, told her story - she lost her brother to gun violence and, as she so eloquently put it, he was on the wrong side of the gun. That made the net song, Monster, all the more poignant; the lyrics grappling with the acceptance that addiction is at fault, not the person. A poignant thought was shared which will stay with me - "Forgiveness is a cage with the door wide open; all you have to do is walk out."
She introduced her band for this tour; Dave Hornberger on cello, Sam Hunt on guitar and Randi Driscoll on keys. What a fabulous group of musicians - Eve certainly knows how to pick them! Shoutout at this point to Marc, Larry, Jim and Sharon, who were missed, thought of and fondly remembered tonight! Hope we see you down the road!
Next was a song she wrote for her brother's children, inspired by someone telling her "You don't know the end of the story; her attempt to speak hope into existence. This was followed by There Will Come a Time, written with Kim McLean, on a mountain retreat.
She talked at length about her fond memories of England and of Newcastle/Gateshead and how it feels like coming home. I think many of us present also had an overwhelming sense that Eve had finally come home, too.
Waves, a beautiful song, talks of how feelings come and go, literally like waves in the ocean. Grace, she told us was inspired during a trip to London, where she hugged trees, as instructed by a healer she met, then listened to the song of the same title by U2. She decided there and then to write a song of her own on the theme of grace, It seems incredibly fitting to the theme of the album.
Love Only Knows continued the theme of hope, inspired by the phrase "God only knows." Randi played an improvised drum for this one, which sounded fabulous.
Speaking of Randi, as she missed her support slot, Eve invited her to play us one of her songs. Talking about her songwriter circle, Randi's Revival, she in turn invited Eve to sing harmonies, which were beautiful. Happy Hour in Heaven, is another hopeful song about loss and Randi's voice really impressed me. I hope we get to see her again - she said we would, so I'll hold her to that!
The latter two songs were performed with the Caedmon Choir, who added a beautiful extra layer to the lyrics.
The choir then performed a stirring and fitting version of John Martin's I Don't Wanna Know, arranged by Karine Polwart.
The penultimate song of the evening was Eve's retalling of the story of The Little Prince; See Me With Your Heart - I think tonight she saw us as much as we saw her. Reminscing about the show where Lucy Wainright Roche opened for her and she fell in love with Wild Mountain Thyme, she invited the choir and us to sing with her. What a gorgeous way to bring the evening to a close.
I can honestly say this was the most emotional show I have ever experienced; Eve openly and willingly shared her story with dignity, courage, compassion and humanity, in a way I'm not sure I have ever experienced before and perhaps never will again. It's rare that a performer allows us to see their vulnerability but when they do, it is powerful beyond words. A very different show from what we've seen from Eve previously, but all the more special for it.
Eve acknowledged that we are all going through things, which was her motivation to share in this way. I suspect that many of these songs will reach people in ways even she cannot imagine. Even just considering everything going on in the world around us, a musical journey from dark into light was a welcome tonic.
Of course, after the show, she was waiting to give hugs to anyone who was open to them and have a chat. As was Randi. Lovely, lovely, humans
Thankyou Eve and band, for a truly memorable evening, Please come back soon and until then, as per your request of us all, I choose love. We'll be waiting with hugs whenever you're ready to come and get them!
Helen Mitchell
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