The Gleaves Issue Quite Possibly (Country) Album of The Year 2025

Going Down A Storm at The Holloway

Ross Stewart Launches Debut EP 'Purpose' with Acoustic Set   

Friday 5th September, 2025

It has been said that my reviews often could be summarised by “I loved it!” This is true to an extent, because if a band is not my cup of tea then I am not going to use precious time writing about them.  I suppose if an act were to be wholly offensive and worthy of a story, then I might write something, but as I was a teenager when Punk Rock arrived, it is unlikely that I’ll be shocked by weak re-treads of the publicity-seeking antics of the Pistols – who I loved, (obviously). 

 

I thought it best to share that by way of introduction, as I am still glowing with pleasure at hearing a superb set from Ross Stewart and his band at the Holloway, 2 St Lawrence Steps, off St Benedict’s, Norwich, last Friday, 5^th September.  Stewart released his debut EP the previous Friday and this sold out show for thirty paying music lovers, was another neat Ross Stewart concept.  He wanted a special show for keen followers, where he would launch his national tour in a hip venue and this was it. 

In such a small venue acoustic music is preferable, which simply allows Stewart to show that what you hear in his recordings, or fully amped up on a bigger stage, is all grist to the mill.  He can deliver fully electrically charged, or acoustically, solo and with a band.

 

His guests, followers, friends and family entered the cellar of The Holloway with a little trepidation after another warm autumn day.  The cellar, one of several under-crofts in this city, was steaming hot and the opening act, Winterlong, (Paul Dewberry) a solo act, delivered a well received set. He had the devil’s own job dealing with the heat and the rotation of audience members clumping down and up the stairs, going for relief from the heat and close air, but he stuck it out.  I will have to track The Winterlong down and have a proper listen, as on Friday I needed re-hydrating after a day at work.  Honestly, all sounded fine coming up the stairwell, but it isn’t fair for me to comment otherwise.  Dewberry’s next gig is back at The Holloway on 26^th September, supporting Georgie Hume and The Pity Party.  Tickets here.

 

Even before Ross Stewart, leading a four-piece band, took the stage he had sold several copies of the new EP Purpose.  As well as a streamed recording, the EP comes as aCD with an exclusive bonus demo track, Hold Me, not available on streaming media.  It comes with a lyric booklet, with suitably moody photos from the landscapes of Norfolk and the artist’s recent excursion to Switzerland, where he jammed at this summer’s Montreux Jazz Festival, after playing a wedding gig out that way.

 

Thankfully, there was a flow of cool air that could be drawn through the subterranean side room of this great little venue (a micro venue, no less), and I was able to really enjoy the evening.  However, two numbers from the end of the show, Stewart advised us that there would be no encore because it was so very warm in that basement.  There’s a man who can read the room!  Not that anyone was unhappy with what they had been hearing.

Georgie Fawley on keys, Sam Leverett on drums and the huge figure of Jon Weeks on bass, made up the band playing with Ross Stewart and his array of guitars.  Like a keen cyclist, n+1 is the formula for keeping track of Stewart’s guitars, where n is the number of guitars and +1 the number he needs.  Ask any keen cyclist about their bike collection and they will be eyeing up just one more; it is so with Stewart and guitars too.

 

The new EP is called Purpose and features an impromptu choir of people who Ross Stewart has met on the musical road since starting out performing.  The song, questioning WTF life is all about, challenging where all these miles and performances are going is a deeply personal number, but one that is relatable at whatever age.  The chorus of friends works in beautifully with the song, before an acapella break from Stewart. The song is another Stewart written number that sticks in the head quite beautifully.  Ross Stewart is able to conjure up catchy tunes to counter balance his sharp lyrics.  His lyrics are thoughtful, reflective and questioning songs that consider life from an understandably youthful perspective, by an  artist who doesn’t simply accept, observe and describe what he experiences, but one who is sincerely trying to fit pieces of the big jigsaw together. These are good songs.

 

We heard a good part of his burgeoning catalogue to date.  Everything from Land’s End to the latest rocking single off the EP, Stones Don’t Bleed.  Even without the effects pedals he so cleverly utilises when playing full on electric blues guitar, Stewart is able to carry the audience away with acoustic guitar solos.  Even when playing acoustic he can rock the joint, as well as going full folk with delicate and melodic picking. 

Yes, I always write about music and musicians I have enjoyed hearing, so this is no exception.  Hopefully, this does not devalue who I am writing about.  Instead, take the words of heavy rock loving, I mean metal-loving, Sean The Cyclist. He’s a person who devours noise that I cannot abide, but hear we were in full agreement.  Sean had a great time and staggered out of The Holloway singing Ross Stewart’s praises.  “Somehow, he does a bluesy, rock thing in those songs that I thought were going to be folksy.  That was wonderful!  Thank you for getting me a ticket!”  Sean, a man who has done his apprenticeship with music and knows what he likes and hates, was deeply impressed and managed to grab a copy of the EP which is a full electric collection before they all went from the merchandise desk.

 

Ross Stewart is beginning to rack up the miles.  His next gig is opening for Hollie Rogers at The Ropetackle Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex on Friday, 12^th September.  

 

Ross Stewart is back in Norwich to close his first national tour on Thursday 30^th October, 2025 at Voodoo Daddy’s, London Street.  Tickets are only £1 plus booking fee, as he would rather have a full house for the fun of it.  Tickets are selling fast. 

 

Get all the latest news, tickets and music from via @rossstewartofficial on Instagram.

Spencer Ide

9th September, 2025