I can’t think of a North American band that tours quite as often in Europe as Robert Jon and the Wreck. It was only in April that I saw the final show of a UK tour at Shepherds Bush Empire, but six months later they were back again for a shorter run of dates. There was no London show this time so to get my fix of one of my favourite bands of the last few years, Oxford was a doable on the ‘Oxford tube’ coach service. Ironically 40 years ago in my student days it was a journey I used to make in the opposite direction to see gigs at places like the Marquee and Astoria.

There was a respectable turnout, though rattling around slightly in the larger of the Academy’s two rooms, and a perfect support act in These Wicked Rivers who share many of the same musical influences, even if they are from Derbyshire rather than the American south. Their new album ‘Fire and Folklore’ was even this week threatening the charts, so to be allocated just half an hour was verging on insulting, and there even seemed fewer lampshades and the like than at their usual shows.

Nevertheless they made good use of the time, opening in very direct style with ‘Black Gold’, but focusing on a quartet from the new album at the core of the set. ‘Ain’t No Smoke’ was classic southern rock, on ‘Love to Love’ I thought the guitar style of Arran Day had a vibe of Pearl Jam or Neil Young at his grungiest, while ‘Brother O Brother’ was almost like old school outlaw country.

Even better however was ‘Horse to Water’, recalling classic Allmans or Marshall Tucker, even with some harmony lead guitar between Arran and singer John Hartwell, resplendent in his three piece tweed suit. Close your eyes and it could easily have been a song by the night’s headliners. They closed with their signature song ‘Don’t pray For Me;’, Arran building up to his 12 strong solo in epic fashion and a closing snatch of ‘Hey Hey My My’. One of the most improved bands out there, this made me all the more determined to catch their headline show in November.

 

Robert Jon and the Wreck opened in a rocking fashion with the slightly Black Crowes-esque ‘Pain No More’, with Robert Jon Burrison’s characteristic honeyed drawl and a slide guitar solo from Henry James (Schneekluth) on guitar. Going well back into their history, for much of the time ‘Blame it on the Whiskey’ had a swampy country rock feel until a remarkable extended solo, the first but not last demonstration of how Henry plays with such a combination of fire and soul, usually on a Gibson SG.

There was then five in a row from last album ‘Heartbreaks and Last Goodbyes’, which to these ears is closer to straight ahead heavy rock and isn’t quite as special, including ‘Sittin’ Pretty’, ‘Long Gone’, enlivened by some great wah-wah work from Henry, and ‘Keep Myself Clean’. But both ‘Dark Angel’ and the title track, a spacious ballad, were enriched by bigger vocal arrangements with Robert supported by Henry and drummer Andrew Espantman.

 

After a not strictly necessary drum solo from Andrew both another Crowes-like number in ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ and ‘Bring Me Back Home Again’ showcased Henry’s talented slide playing, with his vocal harmonies making a big contribution to the latter. Up until now talented keyboardist Jake Abernathy had played a relatively unobtrusive role, but on the slow burning ‘Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man’ he finally came into his own with his prominent piano and organ playing.

Robert is a slightly unusual frontman, face largely obscured by hat and long beard and, deliberately or otherwise, the venue lighting seemed to point everywhere on the stage other than where he was stood. He is also a man of few words, but stated it was the last night of the tour and encouraged a vocal competition, as if any encouragement was needed as the atmosphere finally took off with a lusty rendition of the big chorus of ‘Oh Miss Carolina’.

 

Momentum was retained as Jake’s keyboard intro led into the elegiac ‘Do You Remember’, Henry and Robert sharing classic guitar harmonies before the song ended with another amazing solo from the latter. He was just warming up though for the traditional closing jam of ‘Cold Night’ which had it all, including more twin lead harmonies and one long solo after another from Henry, in between him crossing the stage for a lengthy call and response exchange with Jake. By the end my stopwatch had exceeded 15 minutes, but none of it dragged.

Being the last night of the tour, the encore was a somewhat looser affair, as Arran Day from These Wicked Rivers came back to jam on a cover of ‘Call Me the Breeze’ (the Skynyrd variety which itself is a cover). This was a real treat with solos from in my book two of the very best contemporary rock guitarists, as well as a piano one from Jake, then they combined in the closing jam with remarkable telepathy given I am sure there was minimal rehearsal time, if any.

 

After a relatively slow start the last half of Robert John and the Wreck’s set was outstanding, and to end on such a song almost symbolised a changing of the guard, as Skynyrd now being without any original members shows how it is a new generation of acts we must rely on to keep the flag flying for southern-style rock. Even if tonight’s stars are from sun-kissed Southern California and the UK’s East Midlands heartland respectively.

Review by Andy Nathan

Photos by Andy Balcam

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 20 September 2026.

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More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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Power Plays w/c 12 October 2026

TAKEDA – Lion’s Den (Drongo Records)
SCARDUST – Symphony (Frontiers)
AMBERLIN – Gravity (Rude Records/Equal Vision Records)
MISSING TOYS – Lifeline (Pride & Joy Music)
SWEET GORILLA – It’s Your Life (5000 Records)
ROYAL BLOOD – Dead Company (Warner Records)

Featured Albums w/c 12 October 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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