Emmylou Harris at the Royal Albert Hall

Emmylou Harris

Jim Lauderdale

Royal Albert Hall, 17 May 2026

It really was bittersweet to see the legendary Emmylou Harris play the Royal Albert Hall as part of her Farewell Tour, before she retires from touring outside of the States. Even though she turns 80 years old next year, she sounded as wonderful as ever tonight, treating us to songs from throughout her career, I just wish it wasn't the last time!

Emmylou Harris at the Barbican

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Emmylou Harris performing Wrecking Ball
Daniel Lanois 
Barbican, 26 May 2014

"Can you turn the sound down!" a faceless man yells from the darkened audience during Daniel Lanois' opening set. "You come up here on stage and say that!" Lanois half-jokingly responds. Yes, it's one of those audiences. A few others even leave objecting to the feedback. Admittedly Lanois playing a short set was a surprise to many (although it said it on the website) and it particularly annoys the hell out of the guy sitting next to me, who even goes to complain to the Barbican management after ("At least musicals start on time!" he amusingly if completely unfairly moans).

Best Gigs Of 2013

Although I didn't go to as many shows this year there were still definite highlights and a few shows that I will never forget. I got to see Neil Young with Crazy Horse for the first time, a longtime dream, not to mention seeing Christine McVie briefly reunite with Fleetwood Mac for Don't Stop at the O2 Arena. I didn't do the festival thing this year (after last year's double dose of rain and mud it was something of a relief to be honest) or see as many new artists but I did get to see a few artists that have long been on my wishlist, like Patty Griffin and Grace Potter, as well as old favourites like Dinosaur Jr and Cat Power. So all in all not a bad year and 2014 is already shaping up to be great too. But for now here's my favourite shows from 2013: 

10. Built To Spill at Electric Ballroom

9. Patty Griffin at the Union Chapel

8. Simone Dinnerstein & Tift Merritt at the Purcell Room

7. Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell at Hammersmith Apollo

6. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at Bush Hall

5. Neko Case at The Forum

4. Arcade Fire (as The Reflektors) at the Roundhouse

3. Fleetwood Mac at the O2 Arena

2. David Byrne & St. Vincent at the Roundhouse

1. Neil Young & Crazy Horse at the O2 Arena

Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell at Hammersmith Apollo

 
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
Hammersmith Apollo, 9 May 2013

"People ask me all the time what Emmylou Harris is like," a rather cool-looking Rodney Crowell, in his Dylaneqsue hat, tells us. "I just tell them she has the soul of a poet; the voice of an angel; she's damn good looking and she has the heart of a cowgirl." Emmylou gives an embarrassed grin and shakes her head and although the speech is obviously rehearsed it is clear there's great affection between these two legendary country stars.

Best gigs of 2011

Looking back at my list of gigs for this year I feel more uncool than ever because so few would ever grace the pages of NME and a good many are actually in their 50s and 60s. Not that I care anymore because I can say without doubt it's an honour to see some of the legends I've had the pleasure of seeing for the first time this year. Plus I got to see a few exciting up-and-comers too, so I'm not completely without hope in the cool stakes! Anyway, here's my annual list of my 10 favourite gigs of the year.

10. Janis Ian at Cadogan Hall and Judy Collins at Leicester Square Theatre

(Sorry, I can't decide between these two!)

9. Emmylou Harris at the Royal Festival Hall

8. Laura Cantrell at Mondo Water Rats

7. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings at Hammersmith Apollo

6. The Twilight Singers at Concrete

5. My Brightest Diamond at St Giles In The Field

4. Jonathan Wilson, Dawes & Jackson Browne at The Borderline

3. Marianne Faithfull at the Barbican

2. Patti Smith at St Giles In The Field

1. Sufjan Stevens at the Royal Festival Hall

Emmylou Harris at the Royal Festival Hall

 
Emmylou Harris & The Red Dirt Boys

Simon Lynge

Royal Festival Hall, 1 June 2011

Oh Emmylou, could you be any more perfect? I've seen Emmylou Harris before but this time she seemed energised and happier, walking on to the stage with a little dance. It almost goes without saying that she looked absolutely radiant, wearing a silver headband and layers of brown velvet, satin and lace and the most amazing fringed suede boots, she launched into a song from her new album Hard Bargain, the upbeat, toe-tapping Six White Cadillacs, following it with Orphan Girl and Red Dirt Girl, both of which got a big cheer. Tonight, she told us, she would be digging out some old tunes and trying out some new ones and it really was a lovely mixture of both.