We’re thrilled to present a very special double-bill: Ben Ottewell (Gomez) and James Walsh (Starsailor) – live at the Regal. A rare acoustic evening featuring two of the most distinctive voices in British indie from the last 30 years, performing timeless songs on guitar and grand piano. About Ben Ottewell Ben Ottewell is a British musician best known as the gravelly-voiced frontman of the indie rock band Gomez. Gomez quickly gained attention with their debut album, “Bring It On,” released in 1998, which won the Mercury Music Prize. Ottewell’s distinctive vocals and songwriting contributed to the band’s unique sound, characterized by a blend of blues, folk, and rock elements. The band went on to release several critically acclaimed albums, including “Liquid Skin” (1999) and “In Our Gun” (2002). With a career spanning over two decades, Ben Ottewell continues to captivate audiences with his powerful performances and evocative songwriting, cementing his legacy as one of the most distinctive voices in British rock music. About James Walsh James Walsh first made his name as the frontman, guitarist and principal songwriter of the multi-platinum British band Starsailor. With hits like Alcoholic and Silence Is Easy, his distinctive voice became a defining sound of early 2000s indie rock. Alongside his work with the band, James has built a rich solo career, releasing acclaimed albums including Turning Point (2014), Tiger on the Bridge (2019), and Small Illusions (2021). His latest solo release, Renewal, was written while recording Where the Wild Things Grow – Starsailor’s latest album – and reflects the same sense of hope found in its lead single, Better Times.
As a singer and lead guitarist in rock band Gomez, Ben Ottewell is well known for his unmistakable voice and talent for blistering and inspired guitar solos. Rolling Stone declared, “Gomez’s not-so-secret weapon is Ben Ottewell.” And as GQ Magazine once wrote and anyone listening can attest, “[his] voice is not of this world.”
Since his first solo release, Shapes & Shadows (2011), Ottewell has been pleasing audiences with a series of successful acoustic tours across the UK, US and Australia. Now with a newly-recorded album of songs for his second solo project, Rattlebag, the singer is set to return to the road, performing his new music as well as a few Gomez favorites.
Simultaneously stripped-down and lush, Rattlebag is a collection of beautifully poetic tales of salvation and redemption, of sanctuary and braving rocky seas in search of distant shores. Ottewell’s infectious melodies and bluesy riffs will stick with you, and beg you to sing along.
“There’s a time and place for us / I will take you there,” he sings (“Shoreline”). Ben Ottewell proffers hope and promise accompanied by sublime acoustic and slide guitars, and that’s something we can all use.