Dan Whitehouse w/ Gustaf Ljunggren – St Edith Folk – 19th June 2026

Dan Whitehouse brings his Only Love show to rural Kent prior to the album’s release in October

photo by Paul Ward

words by David Pratt

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

For the second time in a fortnight, Otford Memorial Hall, situated within the Kent Downs National Landscape (formerly known as the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), home of St.Edith Folk, played host to a luminary of the contemporary music scene, and those present were treated to a cracker of an evening’s entertainment.

After a day when local temperatures had soared to the high 20s, keeping external doors open was a practicality not lost on, indeed appreciated, by those present.

tHE WARM-UP

Never knowingly parochial, the organisers ventured to the South Downs to source the support act for tonight’s show, the highly original Jess Vincent. Formerly a resident of Bulgaria, with her repertoire of Americana/folk/indie music, on tonight’s performance it is clear why she is gathering a growing following on the scene.

In addition to performing her own compositions, for example Annie Bonny, she also proved adept at interpreting the traditional, by way of Silver Dagger, both of which appear on her Seesaw Dreams album. With a vocal delivery likened to both Kate Bush and Iris Dement, moving from guitar to harmonium added an extra dimension to her set, and on the final two songs she was joined by Katie Whitehouse on vocals, to conclude a very well-received set.

THE LAST KINGDOM

The billing for tonight’s show was ‘Dan Whitehouse and special guest Gustaf Ljunggren’, a well-established combination both in terms of recording and, increasingly it seems, within a live context.

Having flown in that very day from Copenhagen, and despite the heat, Gustaf appeared completely at ease with the environment, no doubt buoyed by the consummate professionalism of Dan, who surely is a role model par excellence for any aspiring tourist musician.

Whilst this current outing, as it says on the tin, is ostensibly to promote the release of the forthcoming ‘Only Love’ album, those present were treated to a smörgåsbord of Dan’s work from at least four other releases.

As Dan walked out alone at the beginning of the first set, it was clear from the very get-go that we were going to be in for a treat. With melodic Fender Jazzmaster notes issuing forth, what has become his staple opener Ingrid’s Stare was delivered to perfection, emphasising what an incredible voice he possesses. Small wonder, on this outing, that the ongoing project of the same name is eagerly awaited by many.

With Gustaf joining the stage after this song, the format for the rest of the evening alternated between offerings performed as a duo alongside solo songs or tunes from each. Thus, as a duo, three in a row from the ‘That’s Where I Belong‘ release followed, immediately displaying the synchronicity and empathy between the two musicians.

For those present who were not aware of his music and life, Dan helpfully explained at various times during the evening the background to various songs, and contextualising several personal details with a transparent openness and honesty.

Thus the importance of glass

That’s glass pronounced with a short ‘a’ and not a long ‘a’, within the context of his music, both in terms of the specific manufactured commodity and also the more intangible reference to modern glass screens, devices etc., was highlighted prior to delivering songs such as Campfire, The Tide and New Love, all from Glass Age, together with the jaunty and humorous Free Beer and The Old Savoy, and the more reflective equal rights anthem Rouse Ye Women’which appear on Voices From The Cones.

With Dan alternating between his electric guitar and the Yamaha CK88 keyboard and Gustaf moving from Fender Telecaster to the keyboard, via lap steel guitar and ukulele, newly-fitted with a pick-up enabling its first-time use in concert, Simon, the sound engineer, was kept on his toes,  a task to which he rose admirably.

Having earlier delivered two of his own instrumental pieces with Dan accompanying, the latter Dan left to enable Gustaf to close the first set on his ukulele with his evocative, gently flowing Lille Skotland.

UP WITH THE BEST

 Set Two opened with three tracks for the forthcoming album, the title track Only Love delivered solo by Dan with breathtaking beauty, whilst A Thousand Lives and Bird Of Paradise again show that Dan’s song-writing ability is truly up there with the best.

Two more of Gustaf’s instrumentals are sandwiched by two songs from Dan’s 2014 Raw State album, his “ode to testosterone”, The Fire Of Lust, and the moving and poignant My Heart Doesn’t Age, previously released as a single in 2012. Tomorrow from the magnificent Dreamland Tomorrow double, includes lines such as “Beauty is making someone you love care less about tomorrow” again showing lyric writing of the highest calibre. With Gustaf this time leaving the stage, Dan concludes the half with the elegiac Why Don’t We Dance? from That’s Where I Belong, leaving the audience spellbound.

THE LAST LEG

Except that it’s not quite the end. After such an emotional musical ride, the demand for an encore was answered with another treat. In addition to Gustaf, Dan also invited Jess and Katie, (no relation by the way), back on stage to join in with a rendering of what, again, seems to have become a regular concert closer, the ‘audience assisted’ Work, also from the previously mentioned release. Joining in with gusto, the reaction from the audience must have left the artists in no doubt as to the success of the evening.  

THE LEGACY (ARVINGERNE)

So, after nigh-on two hours on-stage, Dan and Gustaf delivered in spades. Two sets of music of the highest quality and originality, delivered from the heart, and not without humour too. It has been said before, but just to reiterate, Dan Whitehouse must surely be one of our prime singer-songwriter/musicians, and whether working on solo projects or collaborations, can be relied upon to give a live performance from the very top drawer which will linger in the memory for a long time.

Catch him on the rest of this tour, you will not be disappointed.

Here’s the duo doing Pirates:

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