Lady Antebellum broke into the UK charts last year with the Grammy award winning track 'Need You Now'. A country-pop crossover, the single was the band's first release off their second album; the album which made them a household name state-side. 'Need You Now' topped the US charts, becoming the most downloaded country song in history. The single also had global appeal, charting at number 21 in the UK.
It is fair to say that following the release of 'Need You Now', the band pretty much went off the scenes in the UK. However this week saw the release of their third album, 'Own The Night' and their return to the UK for promotional work with a slot on the Alan Titchmarsh Show and BBC Breakfast. They also returned for a one night only unplugged performance in central London.
Last night at the beautiful, if slightly haunting, Union Chapel, in Islington, London, Lady Antebellum played a stripped down set of the new album and a selection of true fan favourites.
Lead male vocalist, Charles Kelley commented: "These are the gigs we enjoy the most. This is an amazing venue. We actually sound checked in here earlier and the acoustics are great, we were really excited for tonight."
While the trio had some help on more upbeat tracks with a small band, most of the songs were taken down to their core; just the two vocalists, one guitar or one piano. Hillary Scott, lead female vocalist gave an emotional solo performance of 'As You Turn Away' with only Dave Haywood on piano. The trio also performed 'Cold As Stone' without backing and Haywood on guitar.
Kelly and Scott's vocals were flawless, and the trio harmonise with what seems little effort. The only aid they received was from the wonderful acoustics in Union Chapel. What made the show so special was that the chapel only seats around 500 people. Clearly everyone who had been fortunate enough to get tickets were real fans; there to enjoy some country music on a Friday night in North London.
While an ironic setting, the band did not seem to be out of place and the hour and a half set was a fantastic showcase of the new album. The only thing to comment on was Kelley's final remark,"Drive home safely everyone." Either a moment of confusion as to where he was or perhaps a little sarcasm.
The band return to the US after some promotional work in France and Germany. Their first US Arena tour kicks off in two weeks.
Kelley commented: "If you'll let us, we'll be back next year for something bigger." A roar of applause showed a positive response to a potential UK tour in early 2012.
The album looks set to take US charts by storm but it's difficult to say how well it will do in the UK. While most of the country coming out of Nashville has the crossover pop feel, Lady Antebellum are still perhaps a bit too "country" for the UK; a genre which has a unique but dedicated following outside of the US.
What remains to been seen is whether a stand out track off the album could break the charts like 'Need You Now'. The first single off 'Own The Night', 'Just A Kiss' has seen some UK airtime on radio and television but for most people, Lady Antebellum remain that band that everyone knows for that catchy song about calling up someone late at night when you're drunk!
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