Jesca Hoop

Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis

MORE than ten years separate the performances I have had the privilege to witness of American folk songbird Jesca Hoop in west Dorset.

The first time I saw her was at the Electric Palace in Bridport; fast forward a decade she's at the equally delightful venue of the Marine Theatre down the road in Lyme.

Once again without a band - making an exquisitely intimate gig - Hoop switches between two guitars and expertly uses foot pedals to great effect.

She sounds exactly the same and she's still spinning her beautifully-ethereal songs of love, loss, life and family.

Previously with curly dark brown locks, she now has straight long blonde hair, and with her cape and kimono sleeves she's rocking the flower child look and would not look out of place in late 1960s California (which just so happens to be where she is from).

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Softly spoken in an almost dreamlike way, Hoop gives us a little introduction to each of her magical songs and treats us to a selection of tunes from her half a dozen or so albums, including showcasing her much-lauded 2022 release Order of Romance; another collaboration with producer John Parish who is best known for his work with locally-born star, PJ Harvey. 

Hoop apologises for having to come on at her scheduled time (the support band had to pull out) in case anyone was aiming to just come and see the main act; no matter as it gave me an extra hour to enjoy lovely Lyme Regis. She likes, Lyme too, she says - 'so sweet' - she'd been expecting a seaside town 'like 'Bexhill-on-Sea' and was pleasantly surprised.

Born in Santa Rosa, California to Mormon parents, Hoop's music was initially championed by no other than Tom Waits (she used to babysit his children) and later by Guy Garvey of the band Elbow. Although she's lived in the UK for 16 years now her songs remain dreamy Americana sung in an extraordinary way.

It was a sheer delight and I encourage you to check her out if she's down this way again.