London Townes

Tenille Townes @London EartH, 30.09.26

Grey Like Emmylou… or plays like Emmylou?

Singer songwriter Tenille Townes doesn’t hide her heartfelt admiration for one of alt country’s greatest ever performers.

Dedicating a dreamy track, on 2026’s soul searching The Acrobat, to Emmylou Harris is one thing.

Morphing into her idol is quite another.

And yet whether it’s by pure chance or some kind of magical, manifested design, Townes acts and sounds more and more like a latter-day Emmylou with every fresh gig.

That affecting voice, those cut to the bone lyrics and a feisty self-assurance runs right through both artists.

Then there’s Townes’ almost intimate connection with her fans: another trait common to Harris, no matter how far her star was rising.

Earlier this year, Rushonrock was treated to a rare UK audience with Emmylou as she continued her emotional long goodbye.

Fast forward to September and the venue might have been smaller, the surrounding noise quieter and the profile of the performer a little less but the parallels were clear.

Harris might be close to calling time on a phenomenal touring career but her most obvious heiress apparent is hiding in plain sight — regularly enriching audiences with music and conversation.

Townes can pick up Emmylou’s baton and run with it. Anytime.

A beautifully pitched show at London’s impressive EartH showcased the Canadian’s enduring talent and bold creativity.

The Acrobat is an album helmed in introspection and its raw self-reflection suits the stripped-down vibe pacing The Living Room Tour.

Townes gave pride of place to a picture of her dog and framed an old carpet with retro-styled lamps and shelves. 

Inviting loyal UK fans — many of whom have been tracking Townes for a decade or more — into her ‘lounge’ seemed like the most apt, wonderful move.

As did the promise of a few special surprises.

Whether it was Rachel Button and her Rock Choir adding gospel-tinged joy to Townes’ moving Americana or support Luke Hart re-emerging for a hastily rehearsed jam (the duo’s practice had been rudely interrupted by a rampaging spider), the rootsy treats came thick and fast.

The jury’s still out on whether The Acrobat, self-produced and emotionally wrought, matches up to 2020’s The Lemonade Stand. Let’s just call the former a grower.

But the title track shone in a truly unique setting and Ordinary Love Song (originally featuring Lori McKenna) is a terrific example of Townes at her relatable, intuitive best.

In 2018, during our first encounter with the ‘tiny but mighty Townes’ we said ‘six strings and a few carefully chosen words are all this special lady needs to graduate from the intimate setting of the Songwriters’ stage to theatres, arenas and beyond’.

Eight years down the line and those words still ring true.

It’s confusing that the world of country music — outside of Canada, at least — is still catching up with one of the genre’s generational talents. The time is surely now.

It was Harris who asked Where Will I Be during a period of mid-90s reinvention. After a turbulent few years, Townes must find herself asking the very same question.

Let’s hope she doesn’t go Grey Like Emmylou before she gets to where she truly belongs.