The English-born singer-songwriter Will Varley took to the stage at Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms on Sunday night, delivering a truly outstanding performance. The evening kicked off with the talented Stephen Kellogg, who set the tone for what was to come.
In a rare and engaging move, Kellogg brought his final song to the audience, creating a circle around him and inviting them to participate in an intimate moment with him—it truly was a special way to end his set.
From the instant Varley stepped onto the stage, he had the crowd completely captivated. Eager eyes could be seen across the venue, from those standing at the front to those perched in the balcony—each person entranced by every lyric and hanging on to every word. Varley opened the show with “Send My Love To The System,” which has already amassed over 750,000 streams on Spotify, before smoothly transitioning into the fan favourite “We Don’t Believe You,” which had the entire room singing along.
Accompanied by his exceptional bandmates, Varley was able to share his stories with the audience on Sunday night. Not only are his bandmates phenomenal musicians, but Varley himself is an outstanding live vocalist and an undeniably talented songwriter. His songs resonate with a diverse range of listeners, cutting across age groups and backgrounds.
Throughout the performance, Varley acknowledged the special feeling of being in the same room as an artist, sharing their music with the audience. This sentiment led beautifully into “Everything Has a Heartbeat.”
After ordering a whiskey for himself and his bandmates—delivered thoughtfully by a fan in the audience—Varley had a slight lyric slip, which led him to take a request from the crowd. Much to everyone’s delight, he performed an impromptu, all-acoustic version of his hit “As For My Soul,” which has now garnered over 1.5 million streams on Spotify.
Varley also shared a heartfelt message for his wife, who was at home with their children on Mother’s Day. This touching sentiment clearly resonated with many in the audience, adding a personal and emotional layer to the evening.
It was evident throughout the performance that Varley’s music has deeply connected with his fans, showcasing him as not only a talented performer but also a truly gifted artist.
Will Varley’s forthcoming album, Machine’s Will Never Learn to Make Mistakes Like Me, is available for pre-order and is set to be released on May 30, 2025. You can pre-order the album via his website: https://willvarley.com.
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