Maid Of Stone – Sunday. There’s something otherworldly about Chantel McGregor, the Yorkshire-born guitarist playing with such seeming ease that it all seems so natural, the musician wed to her instrument. Her fretwork flows with such lyricism the songs practically play themselves, and it’s an arresting sight. You get the feeling that under the surface, there could be endless hours of practice each day, but if there is, McGregor has some sort of Chantel McGregor Shows Supernatural Gift At Maid Of Stonethat was swapped at a crossroads somewhere for her soul.
Chantel McGregor
Having started off her career with Blues, she’s added heavier material as the years have gone by and now sees some touches of prog in her set. It’s a fascinating melting pot and one all of her own. The six-stringer is equally adept at tearing out monstrous licks from her guitar as she is teasing out the most subtle of sighs.
Striking in her white flowing dress and bare feet, blonde hair tossed casually as her fingers are like quicksilver on the fretboard, she looks like the least like guitar hero in a world of preening rock gods, but her playing is something else, and that’s where it counts.
Her vocals, too, manage to mix sass and seduction, perfectly mirroring this tension between what you see and what you hear, dancing and weaving between the notes of her guitar.
With a range that goes from a strutting and stiletto sharp Burn Your Anger, the driving force of Killing Time and onto the gorgeous Jeff Buckley tribute Eternal Dream (Beautiful Tragedy) and a sublime I Can’t Make You Love Me, McGregor, along with bass player Colin Sutton, drummer Thom Gardner and keys man Jamie Brooks show they can bring the hammer down and yet bring the lightest of touches.
Breath-taking virtuosity, multi-hued material and an easygoing, natural and honest charm, this had it all. Truly electrifying.
Maid Of Stone Festival 2023 was held over the weekend of 21-23 July 2023. MetalTalk’s Adrian Stonley, Paul Monkhouse and Robert Sutton were reporting from Mote Park.
All Photography: Robert Sutton
Early Bird tickets are available for next year’s festival held over 19-21 July 2024. Tickets are available from here.
All MetalTalk Maid Of Stone 2023 coverage is at https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/maid-of-stone-festival-2023
She’s amazing ! I used to follow her around just to hear those solos …she used to do more if them in the early days ..they are spiritual … I was hooked and still am.