Gig review: VINTAGE TROUBLE – The Tramshed, Cardiff, 1 June 2017

VINTAGE TROUBLE - The Tramshed, Cardiff, 1 June 2017

Every once in  a while you have to step out of your comfort zone, tonight in Cardiff’s  premier venue the Tramshed, I pretty much danced out of it. Leaving behind the rock music and submerging myself in soul.

To tag them with a soul label does Vintage Trouble a disservice as they cover a far broader spectrum of  rock, rhythm and blues.  Indeed they reflect the eclectic mix of the crowd.

A seemingly quick set rather than short, of 13 songs, the evening flew past.  Connecting immediately with the crowd  (which was a full house) during  opening ‘Total  Strangers’ and ‘Strike Your Light’, giving Ty Taylor his first opportunity to straddle the barrier or get in the crowd.

VINTAGE TROUBLE - The Tramshed, Cardiff, 1 June 2017

The energy in the first two numbers was extraordinary, given the amount of spins that were being generated across the stage: if he hadnt made it as a singer then Taylor would have certainly carved out a career as a dancer.

Slowing things down slightly after such a incendiary opening with ‘Doin What You Were Doin’  for me, this is where Vintage Troubles excel.  Ty Taylors’ subtle vocals are like a pair of comforting arms wrapping around you while Nalle Colt effortlessy picks out the majestic notes that weave through the delicate  tapestry of the song, creating an atmosphere throughout the venue that had everyone moved.

The crowd favourites  ‘Pelvic Pusher’ and ‘Not Alright By Me’ give TY a chance to lead his congregation in  a mass singalong.

VINTAGE TROUBLE - The Tramshed, Cardiff, 1 June 2017

While Ty is undoubtedly the driving force that all eyes focus on, all the drops and handstands off the drum riser sometimes overshadow the quality of the other band members, including the rhythm section of Rick and Richard (bass and drums respectively).

Nalle Colt and his slide intro of ‘Run Like A River’ took me back to the guitar duel in the movie Crossroads film.  Ty Taylor was almost evangelical like meeting his congregation, talking in the balcony and commanding his disciples to raise their hands in the air, eventually finding his way back to to the mixing desk, arms aloft, and the iconic crowd dive berfore being  carried above the raised hands back to the stage.

VINTAGE TROUBLE - The Tramshed, Cardiff, 1 June 2017

Not taking a moment to catch their breath, they burst into new single ‘Knock Me Out’, a throwback to the deep south sound from the bygone era of the Stax Records artists before taking a well earned bow and adulation from the gathered Trouble Makers.

Returning for a couple of encores and bringing the night to a beautiful end with the emotive ‘Nobody Told Me’ only cemented my view that Vintage Trouble are the most exciting band I have seen in the last five years.  I for one would be first in the queue when they return.

Review and photos by Darren Griffiths

1.Total Strangers. 2. Strike Your Light. 3.Doin What You Were Doin. 4.Pelvis Pusher. 5.Not Alright By Me. 6. Sorry. 7.Don’t Stop Forever. 8.Rolling 9. Battles End 10.Run Like A River  11.Knock Me Out  12.Blues Hand Me Down  13. Nobody Told Me.


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