Live in Norwich
Word: STEVE YOURGLIVCH PIX: Laurence Harvey
There was an air of expectancy as the band strode onstage and then a surge of energy as the boys delivered the double whammy of Hold On and Dragging Me Down without pause. You already sensed Robert Jon and his band were in the mood. Jake Abernathie provided tasty keys playing as the intro to Blame It On The Whiskey filled the air, climaxing with Skynard style twin lead guitars battling and feeding of each other.
Before we knew it we were into the anthemic Ashes In The Snow, by now the audience were dancing and swaying, feeling every note. The pace slowed a little with new single Highway but without any loss of momentum. Warren Murrel provided a funky bass intro to Red Moon Rising as the band slowly got on board taking us with them to the crescendo, def a highlight for me. Sittin’ Pretty and Long Gone followed back to back before a thrilling drum solo by Andrew Espantman lead into Don’t Let Me Go.
With Robert Jon steering the ship and connecting audience with band seamlessly we slow the pace slightly with Glory Bound, a Southern Rock masterclass, before he urges the crowd participation on Oh Miss Carolina. Ballad Of A Broken Hearted Man follows, leading into very Southern-sounding finale of Cold Night, with a wonderful piano solo and raging twin guitars from Robert Jon and Henry Schneekluth.
There was no way the crowd were going home without an encore and the band happily obliged, Point Of View followed by Shine A Light On Me Brother providing more memorable moments of fine interplay. After almost two hours of authentic Southern-tinged rock n blues, no unnecessary frills, no gimmicks, just the real deal, we all went home with big Southern grins on our faces. Job done boys.
Robert Jon & The Wreck – May 2025 UK Tour
Tickets: https://robertjonandthewreck.com/tour
May 6: O2 Academy Birmingham
May 7: Gloucester Guildhall
May 8: Chester Live Rooms
May 9: Northampton Roadmender
May 10: Portsmouth Guildhall
