Ferris and Sylvester on the Otherness album tour

Ferris & Sylvester have commenced a 24-date UK tour through February and March, in support of their second album Otherness, side A of which is tantalisingly now available on streaming sites. Set for release on 1st March, the album was recorded to a 1960’s tape machine in their home studio. We caught the live show at The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, and were mesmerised by the characteristic mix of folk, blues, rock and soul from this London-based duo, Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester.

Opening with the first song off the new album “Dark Side”, it’s full of energy, urgent and unstoppable, with a slice of Americana, a great start to the show. Songs from Otherness were mixed with back-catalogue favourites including “Better in Yellow”, “Breadwinner”, and a highlight of the show “Flying Visit,” with Issy and Archie singing close together sharing a mic.

Crowd participation was good, singing and dancing along and taking part in a “clapping with the snare drum” challenge; Archie wanting to see which city across the UK has the best timing. Apparently Portsmouth did well, but perhaps that’s only because there’s another 21 dates to go…

Thirteen songs later and after a short break, the encore commenced with Issy and Archie returning to the stage finger-clicking a beat, the crowd joining in, and many recognising the intro clicking from a track off their first album, “Darkness I Feel”. Archie’s low vocals started the song, warm and vulnerable, before being joined by Issy. Next up was another highlight of the set, “Sickness”, for which Archie stood on the barrier for a guitar solo. It’s a superb song building from quiet opening to huge powerful finish, and was apparently one of the first songs the duo wrote together.

Closing the show, their 2018 track “London’s Blues”, it’s a modern hoedown of a song, everyone spontaneously clapping and singing along, wishing it wasn’t the end of the night.

Support was from Jack Francis, who is joining the band for the full UK tour. Lovely heartfelt songs from a charming musician. His new album, set to be released on 22nd March, was produced by Ferris & Sylvester in their studio, and is titled Early Retirement. Introducing his song “Tired of Trying”, he joked about there being a theme in his music.

Jack said the last song of his set was about being a musician, and in self-deprecating humour revealed it was called “Failure”. We look forward to the new album from this endearing, talented musician.