The Shires Acoustic @ The Fire Station, Sunderland

This post is sponsored.

If you were to tell me that on the 27th February 2022, I would be going to see The Shires at The Fire Station in Sunderland then I wouldn’t have believed you.

It was a fantastic experience to visit the new Fire Station, which I am now calling a cathedral of culture. And an extra gem was added to that by getting to see The Shires. I had seen the duo before so I knew what to expect, though it was a little different being an acoustic tour- their music and set was stripped back.

All being a 550 seated venue, this performance felt more intimate. We really got to have a conversation with The Shires and got more of an understanding about the song, music and the stories that inspired those songs. Their album 10 year plan is (at the time of publication) available to pre-order, so it was nice for the audience to have a sneak peek of the new songs. Without wanting to give anything away, fans are in for a treat with this new album.

I was secretly hoping and pleased when the band were performing some of their classics like Drive, A Thousand Hallelujah’s and Lightning Strikes and many more than fans will know and love. Crissie was very honest and brave to sing Daddy’s Little Girl, to be singing about the passing of her Dad- the room stopped and everyone was silent as we listened to her beautiful voice.

It may have been January but they certainty got us up and about doing the cardio, stepping , singing and raising our arms in the air. It really got everyone in the party mood. We were all up out of our seats, enjoying the gig together.

Of course we have the support act, Kezia Gill to thank for that. An unsigned artist, she was very grateful and deserving of supporting The Shires. Her performance was full of energy, packing her many years of writing folk songs into 30mins- Kezia spoke about lockdown and mental health, her song I’m Here really struck a chord with me. I could have listened to her all day.

This was my first gig of the year and it was joy for it to be The Shires, after getting a taster of their acoustic tour- I am excited to hear more of their 10 Year Plan.