Live: Johnny Flynn

Johnny Flynn is another artist the London Ruckus girls saw as part of the HMV next big thing festival. To me he is a very odd choice for the “next big thing” title, as he has been playing the London anti-folk scene for a while, has released an album and an EP, and has even toured in America. But HMV seem to believe he is just about to break through and who am I to argue?

I first saw Mr Flynn just over a year ago at a holistic festival (and he was pretty well known then but still, next big thing and all that) and he blew me away then. On that occasion he had played a few songs with some members of his band, The Sussex Wit, but this time it was just Johnny and his beautiful and enviable steel guitar. He seemed a little nervous playing to a room packed with eager fans, and even forgot the words to a couple of songs, but his easy charm kept the crowd engaged and a few kindly folk even shouted the missing words to him.

He started with “The Wrote and the Writ” which happens to be one of my favourites of his (I say that but actually I love every song he has released) and then sauntered through a selection from his debut album “A Larum” and his 2009 “Sweet William EP” as well as giving us a taste of what is to come in the future. Songs such as “Tickle Me Pink” got the crowd really going, singing along and clapping.

Johnny’s musicianship quite honestly blew me away. I have never seen someone’s fingers move that intricately over guitar strings, and never heard such a rich and complicated sound from one instrument. His singing was also superb, with one of those whisky soaked voices that I instantly associate with the London folk scene.

My only complaint would be that the set finished leaving me wanting so much more. I hope HMV are right and he really is the next big thing, as so many more people deserve this music in their lives. If you get a chance to see Johnny live then do so. If you are lucky enough to have the chance to see him with his band, then let nothing stand in your way.

While not great quality I was able to film “Shore to Shore” at the gig.

Johnny’s album and EP are both available now, and can be bought from all the usual sources and his website.