Freddie Lennox Live in Manchester & Debut Album Review

Freddie Lennox

Freddie Lennox is an up-and-coming London-based singer-songwriter.

His style ranges from melodic, retro-tinged pop to classic Americana and Folk-Blues infused storytelling.

With musical inspiration from greats such as Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, The Beatles and a blues tinge from Mississippi John Hurt, he began writing songs when he was 14.

Paul Kennerley

With a stint in Nashville in 2024 Freddie gained some tutelage with veteran songwriter and producer Paul Kennerley.

English born Kennerley, who relocated to Nashville in 1983, has worked with all of the greats.

Writing songs for a wide range of artists from Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash Waylon Jennings, The Judds right through to Lady Gaga and songs for the A Star Is Born and Thelma & Louise films, he has an incredibly wide reach and depth of experience.

Despite a significant age disparity with the then 76 year old Kennerley, they struck up a friendship, Freddie managing to sing for Emmylou Harris (Kennerley was married to her from 1985 to 1991), meet country icon Chris Stapleton, and play at the legendary Bluebird Cafe, amongst other key moments.

Importantly, it also reinforced his love for the American scene and country music.

Since then he has continued to hone his craft further—supporting Jools Holland on a number of tours, whilst also playing venues such as London’s Troubadour and Koko, the Symphony Hall in Birmingham and also the Isle of Wight Festival.

Invited onto Roger Taylor’s Violence Insane In A Beautiful World 2026 UK Tour, (see my review here), Freddie was handed a fabulous opportunity to share his remarkable craft with packed audiences in landmark venues.

Manchester Opera House, 25th September, 2026

As opening act for Roger Taylor, Freddie Lennox took to the stage of Manchester’s Opera House in extremely confident fashion.

Clearly buoyed by the earlier three dates of the tour, Freddie engaged with the eager crowd right from the start. “I’m going to play a different set tonight, and mix things up” he boldly proclaimed before launching a new song “Isobel” (landing very well with my daughter Izzie, who had joined me for the show!)

Accompanied by his acoustic guitar and harmonica, he played a memorable set that was driven by carefully curated, quiet, reflective laments—delicately strummed guitar punctuated by harmonica bursts—right through to more upbeat numbers, easily coaxing the audience into chorus participation that prompted wide grins across the auditorium.

His strong and supple voice underpinned the songs majestically with a range that was never found wanting. Songs such as “Me, My Dog And The Bird” highlight both his introspection and ear for a melody.

The bluesy “Baby Watcha Cookin’” was a sterling example of the latter, a riff and simple refrain tossed into his acoustic musical pot and transformed into veritable feast.

“Only Time Will Tell”, a new song not on the debut album, continues the pattern that the musical blueprint gained from his time in Nashville has laid down.

“I’m Your Man” is a highlight of Freddie’s new album and was also aided by a crowd assisted chorus, as it resonated around the famous old venue.

As “Beggar Boy” brought the tasteful set to a close, the packed crowd certainly showed their appreciation as Freddie left the stage with much applause ringing in his ears.

Freddie Lennox and my daughter, Izzie *(Image: Damien Wilkinson)*

Setlist:

Isobel

Me, My Dog, And The Bird

Baby Watcha Cookin’

Only Time Will Tell

I’m Your Man

Beggar Boy

A Killer Debut

Freddie Lennox, advance copy of debut album *(Image: Damien Wilkinson)*

With advance copies available at the merchandise desk, Freddie Lennox’s debut album is an impressive 10-song showcase of an emerging major talent.

Ethan Johns

To help with production and engineering duties, Freddie was able to engage Ethan Johns, which has proved to be somewhat of a masterstroke.

Johns’ pedigree is renowned—son of equally esteemed Glyn Johns (Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin and notably, some of Paul Kennerley’s early work)—he has worked on many artists over the last 35 years or so, including Kings of Leon, Ryan Adams, Paulo Nutini, Laura Marling and Paul McCartney.

The chance to work with Ethan, came about somewhat unusually. Bypassing the usual rock and roll networks, a visit from both Glyn and Ethan to a vintage car event run by Freddie’s family, sparked a fruitful meeting.

As Freddie further explains:

“I knew when I met Ethan that he was the man for the job. I liked his individuality, his decisiveness, and his obvious love for the mysterious process of record making. Turns out he’s a killer musician too.”

Over one week Freddie, Ethan, Nick Pini (Laura Marling) and Dan Goodman (Portishead) laid down all 10 songs live in the studio, with no overdubs.

“It was important for me to be playing in a room with people, and not making the record bit by bit, one track at a time, but all together, all at once. I think that yields something more magical.”

Ethan knew they were on to something special.

“I asked Ethan what we were going to add to “Get You Off My Mind”, and he said, ‘I wouldn’t touch that song with a bargepole. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

The outcome is pure analogue horsepower. By locking four sterling musicians in a room and letting the tape roll, Johns didn't just capture Freddie’s songs—he fine-tuned the ultimate high-octane engine to drive them.

Igniting The Spark Plugs: The Tracks

From the outset the Dylan influences shine through as Freddie gets into his stride. The tracks “I Only Want The Best (For The Song)” and majestic “Beggar Boy” evoke prime mid-to-late 60s Bob, sonically and in the vocabulary of their lyrics. Think of ‘that thin, wild mercury sound’ and you won’t be far off. The latter song, with its laidback groove brings Freddie’s vocal wistful lament into sharp focus, as it raises the bar for the album.

The country lilt of “Baby Ain’t That Bed A Bit Too Wide” and economical but bang-on lyric draws you deep into the heart of Tennessee, as Freddie pleads his case for companionship.

“Scarlet Mouth” channels a Highway 61 Revisited pathway as its fast paced vocal delivery married with some Hammond infused underpinnings, propels the song along its journey.

Other key influences that shine through the tracks are Rodney Crowell and John Prine with “Me, My Dog And The Bird” crafted from similar songwriting cloth. It’s an appropriately stripped down number that wouldn’t sound out of place in either artist’s back catalogue, and highlights the growing maturity of Freddie’s songwriting.

More modern reference points include, Stephen Sanchez, with Johns applying a retro-50’s pop tinge to songs such as the melancholy “Love Is Dead”; its heartfelt vocal elevated by the simple, sparse but supremely effective production.

“Get You Off My Mind” mines a similar seam, Freddie again pares things back— the very track Ethan Johns refused to touch with a bargepole—the song practically aches its way out of the speakers.

In studio setting “Baby Watcha Cookin’” and “I’m Your Man” still capture the joyful, raw abandon of Freddie’s performance at the Opera House and are key highlights of the album. “I’m Your Man” in particular, builds to its ‘rock and roll with me’ guitar-filled crescendo before turning full circle and gently signing off.

WIth “Blaze Of Love” laced with delicate percussion and a delicious falsetto chorus, it brings the curtain down on a collection of ten strong and diverse songs.

The Album Track List *(Image: Damien Wilkinson)*

I’m Your Man

Over the course of its ten songs, Freddie Lennox lays down a significant marker of his burgeoning talent. With an exemplary set of influences and the guidance Paul Kennerley has instilled, he’s managed to create an album with a feel echoing the classic songs of the last 60 years of country, blues and rock music, whilst leaving his own imprint.

The years of hard work, learning from some of the biggest names in the music scene are reaping dividends and most importantly he has now got the impeccably produced songs to back up his vision. Both live and on record, Freddie Lennox is telling you one thing—“I’m Your Man”.

And, yes, he is ready.

Freddie sits firmly in the driving seat and possesses both a killer debut album and an engaging live presence to take his career to the next level. Keep a close eye out for the record and upcoming tour dates!

Muchas Gracias:

Thanks to Freddie for his kind assistance with the article, Isy Townsend for use of her wonderful photos and Thilo Rahn (@deathfieldrocks) for the vibrant live shots of Freddie at the Manchester gig.

READY FREDDIE: Freddie Lennox - live at Manchester Opera House, 25th September 2026 and his sparkling new debut album