I’ve now been out to several live gigs since lockdown restrictions eased but it’s still feeling a bit of a novelty and there’s a definitely buzz from the novelty of being in a live music venue. This weekend was the first time I’d been out to my local rock pub, The Carlisle on Hastings seafront, in almost eighteen months, where I had the pleasure of seeing Kent-based blues rock sensations Big River. While little about the Carlisle seems to have changed in the past year-and-a-half (and why on earth would it) there have certainly been big changes afoot in the Big River camp.
Former lead singer Adam Bartholomew has departed and in his place comes another Adam – Adam Barron. While I’ve been following the career of Big River with interest these past few years, indeed ever since the band was formed back in 2016 when guitarist Damo Fawsett quit another Kent-based rock band – Slam Cartel. Similarly, I’ve also been a real fan of Adam Barron, ever since I first saw him fronting Mick Ralphs’ Blues Band at a Butlins Giants of Rock weekend back in 2015.
To say I’m delighted by these two joining forces is a massive understatement. Barron, hugely influenced by Paul Rodgers with a vocal every bit as rich and soulful and emotive as his hero, has an absolutely incredible voice. It’s not difficult to see why a bonafide rock giant like Mick Ralphs snapped him up prior to the former Bad Company guitarist’s sadly debilitating stroke put him out of action. For anyone with a love of classic-era blues rock Barron and Big River is literally a match made in heaven.
At the Carlisle tonight the new line-up certainly did not disappoint. Barron has effortlessly eased himself into the new frontman position, bringing to it both those incredible vocal performances as well as an immediate emotional connection with the audience. The band are in tremendous musical shape, as well. Guitarist Damo Fawsett delivers some stunning solos – his bluesy, soulful playing the perfect match for Barron’s vocals, together with great driving rhythm from bassist Ant Wellman and drummer Joe Martin.
The set-list is a mixture of Big River’s first album (written and recorded prior to Barron’s arrival) a couple of new songs (including the excellent recent single ‘Don’t Hold Out’ – where Barron brings out his ukulele, not something the Carlisle audience are used to seeing on a Saturday night) and a handful of blues and blues rock courtesy of Robert Johnson and Free.
The whole thing is executed with such style and panache I have to keep reminding myself I’m standing in a pub in Hastings rather than a 2,000-seat arena and an £80 hole in my bank balance somewhere. Big River were always a great blues rock band. Now, however, they are undeniably one of the absolute best. It will be fascinating seeing where Big River go from here. They are almost certainly going to be bigger concern than they were previously and I await their next release with eager anticipation.
https://www.facebook.com/bigriverblues
Related posts:
Single review – Big River – Don’t Hold Out
Album review – Big River – Redemption
Darren's music blog 
Seeing a blues rock band in pub sounds like fun. I dig blues rock and just saw my streaming music provider includes music by Big River, including what looks like that first album you noted, as well as their latest single, so will check ’em out.
To me, experiencing music live is the ultimate thrill, and I did so pretty frequently prior to this bloody pandemic. Over the past few months, I slowly started resuming going to a few concerts, primarily sticking to outdoor shows and avoiding events with very big crowds.
I’m still skittish when it comes to indoor concerts. Unfortunately, a significant number of folks in the U.S. remain unvaccinated, and most venues don’t require proof of vaccination. And when it comes to rapid testing, this country is still in the stone age compared to Europe.
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Big River are well wort checking out – both the album and the recent single with new single. This was my first pub gig since lockdown. I did a big outdoor show in the summer and several all-seated theatre gigs but this was first time seeing music in pub. It was a good crowd but wasn’t too crowded so hopefully we stayed safe but, as you say, double vax take-up is reassuringly high here.
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