When Rivers Meet | Georgia Nevada
The Old Fire Station, Carlisle
9th November 2025

When Rivers Meet’s Tree Of Life tour rolls into Carlisle, lighting up The Old Fire Station on a damp Sunday night with an impressive set of their trademark blues and rock.

When Rivers Meet’s roots lie in the blues with husband and wife duo of Aaron and Grace Bond. Their early sound has evolved to encompass classic rock, elements of folk, and over time, a more commercial sound. Already inductees into the UK Blues Hall of Fame, their last two albums have both graced the top ten of the UK albums chart. That’s no mean feat for a completely independent band; the envy of many so called “indie” bands who struggle to achieve even with record company backing.

Support tonight comes from Georgia Nevada. Her voice immediately impresses, an impression that grows stronger with each song. It ranges between emotive tenderness, raw blues hollering, and covers most points in between. Musically, her songs are rooted in country, and she delivers a great version of Dolly Parton’s Jolene. But there’s much more too. There are nods to classic rock and melodic ballads, but it’s the powerhouse blues that really impress. For those familiar with performers in the genre, Elles Bailey’s probably the closest touchstone. Ms Nevada’s certainly worth checking out.

As the intro music fades, the band wander on stage in semi darkness. Backing musicians first, and then Aaron and Grace Bond. When Rivers Meet began as a duo, grew into a live entity of three, then four. Now they are six, filling the Fire Station stage.

Opening number Free Man takes us back to their blues roots, showcasing Grace’s raw, emotive voice backed by slide guitar. It quickly segues into Take Me To The River with Aaron taking vocal duties and Grace on mandolin. Break Free, which follows, has the feel of chugging 1970s rock with the couple sharing vocals. It’s the first track tonight from the Band’s current album, Addicted To You, benefiting from the new fuller sound that six musicians bring.

Seen It All Before and I Can’t Fight This Feeling bring darker, heavier, bluesy rock. Both feature Grace’s powerful voice and see the band’s guitarist cutting loose. A little later, Never Change, from the current album, proves a real highlight; insidious, swampy blues with a dirty, sleazy feel, and an infectious, uplifting chorus. It’s a great song, and a long way from derivative blues or blues rock. More new material follows. Preacher brings a stuttering funk rock riff, call and response vocals, with Grace’s impassioned voice once again to the fore.

Trail To Avalon takes us back once more to their early days. It’s slow, menacing rhythm oozes rock heaviness before the killer combination of slide and Grace’s voice elevates the song to another level. It’s a recurring pattern and a cornerstone of the band’s appeal Breaker Of Chains heralds reviewer irritation. Stylistically, it’s classic, slow burning 1970s rock. I’m not shouting plagiarism, but it owes a debt to someone. I keep thinking mellow Led Zeppelin, but it isn’t. No doubt the source will eventually dawn!

Golden takes everything down. The band depart, leaving Aaron on vocals and acoustic guitar, highlighting a more tender side to his songwriting. It’s well received by tonight’s crowd ,but your reviewer isn’t fully convinced.

As the band return, Addicted To You brings things back with a bang. The title track from the current album hits us with muscular riffs, a melodic, euphoric chorus, and time changes. It’s as addictive as its title and commercial too, with the six piece band emphasising the fullness of the track’s sound. By contrast, Tree Of Life is a classic ballad with a soaring chorus. It’s emotive and uplifting, a song about life, death, and rebirth. A song referencing the death of a friend and Grace’s approaching childbirth? For the unobservant present tonight, Aaron’s affectionate patting of Grace’s swelling midriff and references to “Bumby’s” impending arrival leave little room for doubt.

The music continues to tug at emotions. I Will Fight is awash with passionate vocals and slide guitar. Sung tonight on Armistice Sunday, its lyrics ring with added poignancy. I Don’t Wanna Fight follows, its title a contradiction to the previous track, but lyrically, there’s a progression here. On record, the track feels like a centrepiece to their current offering. Tonight, its delicate opening builds to something resembling a long lost 1970’s folk rock epic; its nagging guitar riff and chorus penetrating like an earworm.

For a while, emotion and melody have taken centre stage, but it’s time to rock out toward a finale. Did I Break The Law’s chugging rock rhythm resembles a train relentlessly heading down the tracks. It’s moving inexorably onward as impassioned slide topped by Grace’s wailing vocals become increasingly intense. Finally, closing number Play My Game finds Grace as emotive as ever, singing over a slow rock riff. As the pace builds, it segues into groove driven rocker, Want Your Love.

It’s a great way to close, and When Rivers Meet take their leave to fully deserved applause. Earlier, Grace asked the crowd, “How many of you have seen us before?” Around a quarter raised their hands. Judging by the audience response as they close, When Rivers Meet’s legion of fans has grown again tonight. They’re an impressive live band with some great material whose inexorable rise seems set to deservedly continue.

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When Rivers Meet can be followed on Facebook | Instagram |and their website

Georgia Nevada can be followed on Facebook | Instagram |and her website

Words and photos by Trev Eales. More work by Trev can be found on Louder Than War at his author’s profile.