Gigantic Up Front: Robert Jon & The Wreck, Nottingham (Review)

Posted on Wednesday 20th September 2023 at 16:20

Written by
Elizabeth Gracie Jepson

California native southern rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck, now familiar faces on these shores after relentless touring, are embarking on an 11-date tour of the UK.

The second date of the tour brought them to one of Nottingham's premier venues, Rescue Rooms.

Despite it being midweek the room was packed out. The band kickstarted the set with the captivating “Do You Remember”. Followed by the COVID-inspired single “Tired Of Drinking Alone” which seemingly had everyone in attendance echoing every word back to the band.

Throughout the set, the band demonstrated the full extent of their musicianship with guitarist Henry Schneekluth consistently showcasing his flawless and impressive solos alongside keyboardist Jake Abernathie, drummer Andrew Espantman and bassist Warren Murrel all respectively having solos.

The band seem to effortlessly switch from the more groove-laden “Pain No More” to the choral attacking “Don't Let Me Go”, with a healthy dose of extended jams, especially during 2015's “Cold Night”.

Anthemic fan favourite “Oh Miss Carolina” is a true standout of the set, it seems to somehow take things up a level – if that was even possible.

A short exit from the stage and the band returned for a spectacular rendition of set closer “Shine A Light On Me Brother” with the audience expelling "woo!" in unison seemed like the consummate choice from these well-seasoned musicians.

From the evening's show, it's truly apparent just how tight as a band RJ&TW really are, with more than a few road miles under their belts, the band seem to pour every ounce of their being into delivering a dynamic and indelible collection of songs.

Setlist:

Do You Remember

Tired Of Drinking Alone

Rescue Train

Don't Look Down

Pain No More

Don't Let Me Go

Bring Me Back Home Again

One Last Time

Oh Miss Carolina

Cold Night (with extended musical jam)

Encore: