Seasick Steve is one of the most truly blessed, humble and gifted musicians in contemporary music. Whilst we all know about Steve’s now legendary heart-warming story, coming from rags to riches by finally being introduced to the world on the Jools Holland Show back in 2006, he has continued to capture the minds of many a music fan all over the world with his truly moving and gritty take on blues rock.
So in support of his incredible new album Sonic Soul Surfer (which you should definitely buy, and in Steve’s own words tonight, “particularly on vinyl“), Seasick Steve kicks off the UK tour at Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall.
Before we go in to the review of Steve’s performance, let us start off with this – if you are going to attend a show just to drink alcohol and shout throughout a set, then you are the worst kind of music ‘fan’ going. The only spoiler about tonight’s wonderful set was the inconsiderate 4% who would not shut up. It is disrespectful, inconsiderate, and highly embarrassing. Not just the majority of the crowd, but also Seasick Steve was rather upset with the actions of this idiotic few during tonight’s performance. Which is a bloody shame, because had it not been for these fucking imbeciles thinking they are the stars of the show, this would have been a near perfect evening. But let’s move on….
Main support for the evening came from Dutch blues trip My Baby. Seasick Steve said later on in the evening they are one of his favourite new bands at the moment, and it is easy to see why. Their onstage chemistry is wonderful, and their sound very reminiscent of Blues Pills if they went with a more 70s psychedelic stance. Whilst not being instantly memorable, they are certainly a talented bunch, and should be checked out by any self-respecting blues rock fan!
But when Seasick starts off with ‘Treasures’… wow, the crowd brings down the house to say the least! The appreciative and adoring 96% embrace him, and his band with open arms. New songs such as ‘Roy’s Gang‘, ‘Bring It On‘, and ‘Swamp Dog‘ get some particularly terrific reception, as does the inclusion of older material like the enchanting ‘Walkin’ Man‘ where he invites an unknowing lady on stage to sing it to her personally. But it is the old school classics ‘You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks‘, and a wild version of ‘Dog House Boogie‘ that get the crowd really going even more so.
One of the most special things about Steve is his penchant for making instruments out of junk, and using really vintage equipment during his set. He makes some of the most incredible sounds from these instruments, and gives us a truly wonderful display of showmanship every single time. A humble man, with some incredible substance, and thousands of stories to tell – Seasick Steve is arguably one of the most gifted and truly humble musicians on the face of the Earth, and we should cherish him. If his performance on the rest of the tour is anything like tonights, then everyone else better hold on to their hats, because you are in for a delightful treat!
