Willow Bay welcomed their new EP Evangeline to a jam-packed Carousel last Saturday night. They crafted together an evening with undeniable chemistry, between both the band and the audience…
Within the intimate surrounding of The Carousel, Willow Bay created an atmosphere which was immediate and eclectic; a warm introduction to their new music. The trio - lead vocalist and guitarist Aaliyah, guitarist and banjo player Matt, and electric guitarist Ben (who adopts a baritone guitar for this project) were all together, producing emotional and heart-felt, indie-folk music. Their stage presence felt intuitive and unforced, each band member carving out a space while remaining tightly attuned to the others.
Opening the night and supporting the band was Jacquline; the solo venture of Kelsey Shaw. Jacquline shares musical history with Aaliyah through their work in Kelsey and the Embers, making the pairing of the bands feel both natural and celebratory.
Setting up the EP launch for glory, the crowd were introduced to the night with the sounds of Jacquline’s country/pop vibe, which she describes as music “that’ll either have you in tears or on the dance floor". She delivered on that promise, proving it to be true by setting a country and folk/pop atmosphere that primed the audience perfectly for Willow Bay’s headline moment.
The evening felt less like a standard EP launch and more like a gathering of a close knit creative community - one built on collaboration, shared history and a clear passion for the music. Ultimately, this is the environment that Willow Bay try to produce through their songs anyway. For this gig, the trio introduced us to Brad Dury on the bass and Callum Smyth on the drums; adding more layers to their music but also providing us with an equal mix of both upbeat and mellow tunes.
For their newer and more tender songs, the band left the trio to it; emphasising on their lyricism and heartfelt story telling. In these moments, we saw more notes of traditional folk especially with Matt’s banjo riffs!
When Willow Bay came to the stage, they were welcomed by the warmth of an enthusiastic and cheering crowd. First on their setlist was a song from the EP, Pavement. This is one that Aaliyah says is “written about two perspectives of a relationship where one person is giving their all and the other struggling with the concept”. Immediately, the audience were grasped and the room was silent; a response to the band's tender and folky tunes. Their delicate instrumentation and emotional clarity set the tone for the evening: intimate and reflective.
Willow Bay draw subtle influences from artists such as Noah Kahan, The Bros Landreth and Novo Amor. But tonight a reimagined rendition of The Only Exception by Paramore was seamlessly woven into their set, flowing effortlessly into their own song I Want It All. This was a transition that showcased their musical dexterity.
Their last song was the EP's title track Evangeline, which triggered a huge response from the crowd; people were laughing, dancing and singing along. For what is such a raw and meaningful song, Willow Bay lifted the crowds spirits with their angelic and honest sounds.
At the end of the song, we were surprised with a familiar face as Jacquline jumped on stage to harmonise with the band.
Willow Bay's warm aura as a band created such a supportive and welcoming environment at The Carousel, so much so the audience begged for an encore. The band duly finished the evening with their own folky cover of Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan. The concept of mixing indie-folk and pop was executed beautifully by the band, as they continued to produce their own unique sound through someone else’s song. This was especially so when they included Ben’s guitar solos to finish the night.
Overall, Willow Bay have proven to us once again that they know how to grasp us into a folk frenzy, so deeply. The atmosphere for the entire evening was spectacular with its sense of community. By the close of the set, it was clear that Willow Bay had done more than just launch an EP: they had cultivated an atmosphere of genuine connection.
Willow Bay performed at The Carousel on 28th February 2026. You can read our interview with the band here.
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