Live Review: Clare Bowditch, The Royal Jelly Dixieland Band

Unless you have been hiding under a rock somewhere this year, you will have noticed the themes of 1920s prohibition America rolling into all aspects of modern-day popular culture, from fashion to television, and there was no exception on The Astor stage last Saturday night as The Royal Jelly Dixieland Band opened for Clare Bowditch.

Seven dashing young men that play jazz, pop and, well, obviously Dixieland warmed up a crowd where the female members of the population clearly outnumbered the male variety. The Royal Jellies smashed out some seriously jazzy tunes before they surprised with an electric version of Beyoncé's All The Single Ladies. There definitely should have been a trombone in the original version, and the appreciative crowd bopping along was definitely testament to this.

As Clare Bowditch came on stage in a mist of dry ice, it became very apparent to anyone not in the know that this was a homecoming of sorts. Bowditch's warm and laid-back performance style created an atmosphere similar to that of somebody's living room. Those that normally shy away from audience participation would be advised to stay at the back as Bowditch encouraged making new friends, feeling your inner happiness and general hand-clapping. This 'family'-oriented performance was not just for the audience; on stage it was apparent the all the musicians have a deep relationship with each other, including Bowditch's partner Martin Brown, taking his place on the skins as has been the case for several years now.

There is no denying the power of her voice as she sang through songs old – like Modern Day Addiction – and new, including many from her new album The Winter I Chose Happiness, such as popular single You Make Me Happy. After a short break Bowditch granted herself a standing ovation following an emotional encore. You get the impression that this gig means just as much to all of the performers on stage as it did to the excitable and high-pitched audience. This was no normal show, and the crowd left with the feeling they'd spent a casual night with one of the country's most charming, interesting, funny, and of course talented, musicians.