By Terry Marland, Rock At Night Wales
Live Review: King King and The Damn Truth -Manchester Academy 2-Manchester U.K.-Thursday 17th February 2022
King King’s current UK tour has been split into two segments. The first dates before Christmas were critically acclaimed and featured support from Blues Rock husband and wife team When Rivers Meet. For part two The Damn Truth take on the support role and get the evening off to an electrifying start.
The DamnTruth
Montreal four piece The Damn Truth deliver a compelling and highly animated set drawing mainly from their highly rated 2021 album Now or Nowhere. Fronted by the charismatic Lee La Baum, it’s easy to see why they have been getting such a positive response on this tour. The band evokes a retro sound that is soaked in 60s and 70s influence delivered with a modern vibe that makes their music totally compelling.
La Baum’s vocals are reminiscent of Grace Slick, Janis Joplin and Beth Hart and are the perfect accompaniment to the stunning guitar of Tom Shemer. Together with the rock solid pairing of Py Letellier (bass) and Dave Traina (drums) this band is a tight outfit.
For the duration of their set the stage is a fusion of movement as they deliver their brand of highly infectious numbers including the Planet Rock playlisted “This Is Who We Are Now” and “Only Love” before rounding off with “Tomorrow”.
If you are going to one of these shows on this tour get to the gig early. This is a must see band.
King King
As the sound of ACDC’s “Highway to Hell” fades away, the familiar kilted figure of Alan Nimmo takes to the stage. With arms aloft the man with one of the widest smiles in the music business greets the audience. Launching into “(She Don’t) Gimme no Loving” the crowd is immediately on side.
The current line up alongside Nimmo features his brother Stevie (guitar), Jonny Dyke (keyboards), Zander Greenshields (bass) and Andrew Scott (drums). The band is water tight and delivers a selection of songs including five from the now, not so new, Maverick album and reinforces just how strong an offering this is.
A powerful “Fire in my Soul” is followed by a soulful “One World” that Nimmo explains he wrote in response to events over the last few years. 2015’s “Waking Up” is followed by “Rush Hour” which, as always, has the audience joining in as they do with some vigour on a stellar version of “ You Stopped the Rain”. “A Long History of Love “ incorporates sterling keyboards from Jonny Dyke and a scintillating guitar solo that sees Nimmo on the edge of the stage and totally lost in the moment.
The main set concludes with a powerhouse version of “I will not Fall” before an encore that includes “When My Winter Comes” with vocals that Alan Nimmo delivers with some passion.
When you go out to a gig as good as this you realise just how much we have missed live music. Tonight two bands have delivered an evening that will live long in the memory.
Highly recommended.
PHOTO GALLERY
The tour continues:
Sheffield Leadmill
Saturday 19 February 2022
6 Leadmill Rd, Sheffield S1 4SE
Cardiff Y Plas
Sunday 20 February 2022
Cardiff University, Park Pl, Cardiff, CF10 3QN
www.cardiffstudents.com/venues/y-plas
Birmingham Town Hall
Tuesday 22 February 2022
Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ
Bury St Edmunds The Apex Arts Centre
Wednesday 23 February 2022
1 Charter Square St, Bury Saint Edmunds, IP33 3FD
www.theapex.co.uk
London Electric Ballroom
Thursday 24 February 2022
184 Camden High St, Camden Town, London, NW1 8QP
https://electricballroom.co.uk
Damn Truth Only (Headline Gig)
Southampton The 1865
Friday 25 February 2022
Brunswick Square, Southampton, SO14 3AR
- The John Angus Blues Band and Gus Glynn Band in Warrington: A night of high quality blues - April 22, 2024
- FM Shine At Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival - April 1, 2024
- Cast in Manchester: So Much More Than a Nostalgia Gig - March 4, 2024
