I’m fessing up here. This was the first time I'd seen Chantel McGregor live. And I won’t forget it. First of all I was struck by her visually. A beautiful blonde with angelic eyes and aura when playing. Yet not for Chantel the harder edged Rock chic leatherette look. Indeed, her softer, long dress was incongruous to me. McGregor could have been going off to a Summer wedding party. Yet here she was smiling and saying hello in the raw iconic Rock vibe of The 100 Club, before turning around to her band as well as the audience, teasing “Shall we do a gig then?”

Her casual ease and engagement automatically enhanced her likeability factor for me from the start. So here was this woman in a long colourful dress picking up her guitar. The question for me was what was she going to do with it! Would McGregor deliver? The answer was that she certainly did! Indeed, McGregor has got to be one of the UK’s finest female Rock, Prog Rock and Blues Rock guitarists, given the fluency of her fretwork, combined with her lightness of touch, that put me in mind of Robin Trower. Independent in spirit in the most understated, yet competent, capable way, McGregor lets her fingers and vocals do all the talking!

With a set surprisingly varied in tone, with nuances of Hard Rock and Prog Rock, her softer, captivating vocal on a cover of Radiohead's classic 'Creep' was very apt, as you are so very special Chantel! Tracks from her excellent 2025 album 'The Healing' also featured, such as 'Stand on My Own', 'Broken Hearted Liar', as well as the title track. Other highlights included 'Killing Time' and 'Take The Power', as did Chantel's vocals when without the backing of her band, which had a distinctly heavenly quality,

Having had the pleasure and privilege of photographing and witnessing other leading female guitarists over the last three years, such as Joanne Shaw Taylor, Orianthi and Samantha Fish, McGregor stands firmly in her own shoes as being superlative in talent, originality and her own direction of travel. Having opened for Walter Trout in the past, Walter described Chantel as “one of the finest artists in the UK. A national treasure”. On tonight's evidence you can clearly see why!

Indeed, her overlay and interplay of Prog Rock against Blues Rock and Rock, sets McGregor apart. As does her amusing interaction and banter with her audience, tonight discussing what she and the band ate before coming on stage, and whether to end their next song on chord C Major 7! Absolutely priceless for all those present who knew their chord sequences! As indeed Chantel definitely does, with years of honed practice, as well as no showoffiness, just a cool competence, alongside her proficient co-musicians, all with a similar passion, which this evening was flawless, just like her flowing frock!

A superb, sophisticated guitarist, I want to shout out your name Chantel from the UK rooftops! So please do have a listen to this Yorkshire lass and enjoy, as she's not only a national treasure, but Chantel's also a worthy international Blues Rock and Prog Rock guitarist and vocalist too!

No less harmonious was Saiichi Sugiyama's support set. Also with similar independence of spirit, and more than a thread of Prog Rock elements running through its veins, Saiichi and his fellow musicians performed both a moving and complex set with ease. Poetry in Sugiyama’s lyrics were neoclassical at times in tone, with a welcome added dimension of violin arrangements. I also sensed that Saiichi does not want to be defined by musical genre, or labelled or pigeonholed by them either!

Proudly standing well and tall in his own original shoes, Sugiyama lead on vocals as well as on acoustic and electric Gibson guitar. Indeed, the respect for him on stage from his fellow musicians was palpable. All in all, a most meaningful musical fayre to savour, which featured 'Old Samurai', 'It’s Up to You', 'Bitter Ground', 'Mother’s Child' and 'Ocean Girl'.

Review, photos and video: Denise Lester