After two previous failed attempts, it was third time lucky as I got to see Billy Nomates perform live at Electric (formerly SWX) in Bristol on Wednesday night (24th).
A mad dash from work, a quick stop at home for a change of clothes, then via the M4 and M32 to Bristol. I'm always keen to catch the support act and feared I'd be late but, when i approached the stage, this was the sight that greeted me.
No, this was the stage device for Emily Sadler. I'd done zero research into the support but had I done even a casual search, then the clues were there: her Instagram moniker @cirquemily and a show billed as "Beneath The Big Top"; this wasn't going to be your standard 30-minute singer/songwriter acoustic support slot.
Emily describes herself as an "Aerialist, Handbalancer and Roller Skater" and we got two out of three live on stage...well, would you attempt roller skating with all the cables and kit lying around?
It was a truly arresting sight, as Emily performed to a backing tape, switching from introductory narration to music and back again, as she moved through several 'acts.
That moment of seeing Emily perfectly poised, the tips of her toes resting in the mouth of two bottles, was jaw-dropping. The aerial hoop routine the choreography, the sheer novelty of seeing something off-kilter at a music gig got the evening off to a great start.
Never skip the support act, kids!
One thing that has dramatically changed in my gig-going experience since my teens is how punctual everything is these days. By necessity, of course, driven by venue curfews or club nights following hot on the heels of live music. For the punter, it's almost entirely eliminated the interminable wait between support slot and headliner.
And so, pretty much on the nose at 9.00pm, Billy Nomates took to the stage. The pendatic complaining consumer may have placed a call to Trading Standards at this point, as Billy clearly and unmistakably now has mates, in the form of Mandy Clarke (bass) and Liam Chapman (drums). Or, maybe they're not friends at all...
"Whose idea was it to have a hometown gig to open the tour?" asks Tor at one point. "Promoters!", shaking her fist in mock indignation.
It was a good call, though. There was a hugely positive vibe, the sense that no-one here was present to be convinced or persuaded that Tor Maries is an exceptionally talented songwriter and performer. Boy, did she and the band deliver, though.
"in fairness," reflected Tor. "We haven't practiced it."
All but one song from current album Metalhorse was played (what did Comedic Timing do wrong?), including Moon Explodes ("We were sat in the back of the van, definitely not stoned" remembers Tor with a twinkle in her eye) and Dark Horse Friend, with Liam doing a fair impression of Hugh Cornwell, who guests on the studio version.
Barring the set closer, Metalhorse dominates the first half of the show, concluding with Strange Gift, Tor's tribute to her dad, seeing her strap on an acoustic guitar, whilst LIam and Mandy remain seated and reading newspapers. After the energy of the last half hour or so, it's a beautiful, touching performance.
"Man drives 800 miles to return bag," deadpans Liam *
"800 miles?" wonders Tor aloud to the audience. "Uh oh... that's dangerous: 800 miles, I'm between two Scottish musicians; before you know it, you'll be asking me for...
...maybe I'll do it at the end." (Spoiler: she didn't)
What we were treated to though, was a second half that delved into the already expansive Billy Nomates back catalogue, with songs from the self-titled debut and 2023 follow up Cacti.
2020's Emergency Telephone EP also got a couple of outings, with Heels and Petrol Fumes. Even more satisfying were a couple of songs from the growing "Tor Tape" collection that Tor has been gradually adding to Bandcamp since August 2023.
pornos in the waiting room came out in July this year, knives in September 2023 and whilst these Tor Tape songs are described as B-sides and demos, they're every bit as hard-hitting and complete songs as those that have appeared on any of her albums.
Joking that the band were "way too cool for an impractical encore", Tor, Liam and Mandy launch into The Test from Metalhorse, a highlight amongst highlights.
"You know I can't come down," Tor sings at one point and, as I walk back to the car, reflecting on the last couple of hours, I'm not sure that I can either.
If you can get to any of the remaining dates on Billy Nomates' UK tour, I'd urge you to run not walk. Don't miss out.
Setlist hasn't (yet) posted details for the Bristol show but looking at the post for Southampton a couple of nights later, I think it's pretty much the same, so I've used this as the basis for today's hour-long selection. If you're new to or relatively unfamiliar with Billy Nomates / Tor Maries, then you are in for a treat.
As a bonus, I'm also reposting the 44-minute Dubhed selection I created in June 2023. A few duplicates/overlaps between the two but when the music is this good, who cares?
1) Life's Unfair (2025)
2) Metalhorse (2025)
3) Nothin Worth Winnin (2025)
4) Plans (2025)
5) No (2020)
6) Moon Explodes (2025)
7) Dark Horse Friend (ft. Hugh Cornwell) (2025)
8) Override (2025)
9) Heels (2020)
10) Gas (2025)
11) Strange Gift (2025)
12) pornos in the waiting room (2025)
13) knives (2023)
14) blue bones (deathwish) (2023)
15) Hippy Elite (2020)
16) Petrol Fumes (2020)
17) Spite (2023)
18) balance is gone (2023)
19) The Test (2025)
2020: Billy Nomates: 5, 15
2020: Emergency Telephone EP: 9, 16
2023: Cacti: 14, 17, 18
2023: knives EP: 13
2025: Metalhorse: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 19
2025: pornos in the waiting room EP: 12
And here's a bonus link to Little Boy, Don't Think You Quite Understand, my previous Billy Nomates selection from 2023.
* This is a true story!
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