Gig review: KING KING – The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

King King - The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015A Sunday night can be a tricky one for any gig but thankfully  the fans came out in their droves for an almost full house at The Globe in what I can only describe as a masterclass in musicianship.  This might even vie for “gig of the year” – and it’s only March!

Support Laurence Jones impressed with his confidence and the quality of his playing and singing, definitely one to catch live again and hopefully in July when he’s on tour again.

Laurence Jones - The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015
With numerous accolades and awards  bestowed upon King King over the last few years,  and described by GRTR! as ‘One of the most explosive rock/blues bands on the planet’,  I had high expectations tonight in a genre of music I have only recently been attracted to.

With a stripped down stage set up and minimal lighting it was left to good old fashioned songs and talent to win anybody over and judging by the reception from the crowd when King King walked on stage there is obviously great affection for the band.

King King - The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

New album opener ‘Hurricane’ was quickly followed by some older favourites ‘Don’t You Get The Feeling (You’ve Been Had)’ and ‘More Than I Can Take’.  Alan Nimmo is soon trading licks between his silver Stratocaster and Bob Fridzemas’ Hammond organ.  With Lindsay Coulson and Wayne Proctor providing the rhythm and backbone of the King King sound it didn’t take long for the crowd to start dancing and singing along.

Alan Nimmo is a larger than life personality and entertains with between song banter.  Slowing things down with ‘A Long History Of Love ‘,  I hear so many similarities to Paul Rodgers, and even Danny Bowes (Thunder) in his velvet smooth, soulful, vocals.

Alan introduces ‘Jealousy’ by fellow Glaswegian Frankie Miller, this was the song that got me into King King and to hear it in the live arena was nothing short of breathtaking.

King King - The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

There were four songs from the upcoming album release Reaching For The Ligh’ ( which you can purchase at the shows) and for me ‘You Stopped The Rain’ and  ‘Waking  Up’ are two that will be future King King classics.

All too soon the set came to a close but not before they left us with open mouths playing Eric Clapton’s ‘Old Love’.  And when hearing someone talking through an almost silent venue Mr Nimmo stopped the solo, told the punter he would wait for him to finish, flashed that beaming smile and finished the solo on cue.  The band returned for an encore of  ‘Let Love In’.

King King - The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

When you get a band or artist like this you of course want them to go on to bigger and better  things – not least bigger venues – but a little part of you wants to keep them for yourself so they can play in such intimate surroundings.  Selfish yes, but totally understandable.

For this reason, grab yourself a ticket for your local show as soon as possible.

Review and photos by Darren Griffiths         


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