Gig Report: Robert Jon & The Wreck @ O2 Academy, Liverpool

Photo Credit: Mark Powell

It's been a hot minute since I set foot in the hallowed grounds of the Academy in Liverpool. The home of many good nights out. I knew going into this that this was going to be a great night of music from simply standing in the queue waiting to be let in. The patrons were so ready for the gig that excitement filled the atmosphere. I grew up on country music and southern rock. So I was looking forward to this one. I've recently had a crash course in the music of Robert Jon and The Wreck. Their music is something that I would have adored as a kid, which colours them in a positive light. Their most recent album, Ride In To the Light is a brilliant album, filled with passion and emotion. All-encompassed with that hard rock edge that puts it over the top! So, going into this show I had high hopes for sure. As the venue filled the anticipation was apparent. I always love this moment before a gig starts. People are fresh and the excitement is about ready for release.

Photo Credit: Mark Powell

Opening up this show was Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast. Hailing all the way from North Carolina and fresh of dates with Blackberry Smoke. This was a firey set with a lot to appreciate. The band warmed up their sound as Caitlin approached the stage. This was a binding set. The band was so in tune and together. The rhythm section was excellent the well-rounded bass sound, provided by Will Seymour and well-paced drums, performed by Michael Davis, the set flowed effortlessly from one song to the next. The guitar work from Aaron Austin was simply sublime as he navigated in and out of riffs and solos. The sound of the band weaved around as they clearly wore their influences on their sleeve. Their sound morphed from blues-rock to country, to rock n roll. It was a marvel to behold. The beautiful harmonies gave way to commanding chorus lines that encapsulated the room. Caitlin's vocals were immaculate, simply soaring over the production. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her charisma just lit up the whole room. You can tell that the UK music scene profoundly affected them. So as a tribute to the plethora of music history, they performed a cover of "Rock And Roll" by Led Zeppelin.

This was a set of pure joy and passion. It was an ideal opener. There was so much fun and fire to this set with a good helping of southern boogie to keep the set going. They got the crowd going with efficiency. The instrumentals were super impressive with out-of-this-world solos. I was completely lost in their performance as were most of the audience. The band promised that they would be returning to the UK shores, which prompted a rapturous applause. I have to say, this was a splendid opening set. I was incredibly entertained. This had all of the hallmarks of the music I personally enjoy. If you're any sort of fan of southern rock, blues or country, this is a band I would urge you to check out!

Photo Credit: Mark Powell

Setlist
Half Asleep
Blue Heron
Haunted By You
Devil On Your Side
Operator
Led Blood
Rock And Roll
Fighting The Feeling

CHECK OUT CAITLIN KRISKO AND THE BROADCAST

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The venue filled out as more people entered and the night was getting hotter. But there was no slowing this train. After a short intermission, the lights dimmed as the band of the hour made their way to the stage. Robert Jon And The Wreck didn't waste a moment of time or a single note of music. Let me tell you this was a wild ride of a show. The set was a rip-roaring, gangbuster of a night with a lot to appreciate. The show moved along with clinical efficiency, though the band was loose enough just to jam out and let the music take the Liverpool crowd on a ride! Songs like "Ride In To The Light" and "Don't Look Down" got the crowd singing along creating a great atmosphere to be a part of. While the excellent musicianship on display was simply out of this world.


Photo Credit: Mark Powell

After every song, the crowd hollered and applauded, which in the confined space of the O2 Academy, made it feel like a tent at a music festival. Robert Jon was a gracious frontman, allowing the crowd their fun and feeding off of their energy to deliver a high-class performance. His gruff and melodic vocals resonated in the venue acoustics as the band played to their heart's content. The production was fantastic and the guitar solos put it over the top. Lead guitarist, Henry James Schneekluth made the guitar sing and when he and Jon played together, there was a beautiful harmony of sound that was truly delightful. Adding to the skill and talent on stage was keyboardist, Jake Abernathie, a monster of a player, some of those keyboard solos, like "Cold Night" hit right on home and made the songs feel loose. Like a late-night jam session.

The crunchy guitar tone and swinging rhythm were enough to keep the energy up throughout the evening. Their songs are so catchy that even if you’ve heard them before, you can get a quick sense of them and know the chorus by the end of the song. For those of us who knew the words, it was an opportunity to sing along with the band and feel a part of that ethereal musical presence. Especially on the track “Oh Miss Carolina”, a song that just invited the audience to sing the chorus on blast.

This was such an impressive night of entertainment. The band weren’t one for bantering with the crowd, but that was OK because the music more than made up for it. However, I will say, that Robert Jon got in a few good one-liners here and there. They showed immense respect to the crowd and the crowd gave it back in return. I enjoyed the set so much. Their music just spoke to me in such a great way. Like I said, I grew up on this style of music, so this felt like a night that was tailor-made for me. Both acts played their parts to perfection. From the first note of the opener to the closing riffs of the headliner this show was an amazing experience.

Photo Credit: Mark Powell

Setlist
Pain No More
Do You Remember
This Time Around
Ride into the light
Tired Of Drinking Alone
Don’t Look Down
High Time
Don’t Let Me Go
Bring Me Back Home Again
Gold
Oh Miss Carolina
Cold Night
------ Last Light On The Highway

CHECK OUT ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK

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