Robert Jon & the Wreck / Rock City / Nottingham

Dec 7

Dec 7 Robert Jon & the Wreck / Rock City / Nottingham

A fifth night at Rock City in Nottingham this week, it really is becoming home from home, but this was one show I was not going to miss as Robert Jon & the Wreck came to town.

But first up in support, a real treat in Eddie 9V (real name Brooks Mason). I had seen Eddie at the Bodega some time ago (supported by The Zac Schulze Project) and he was sensational, so this was a welcome treat !

And he didn’t disappoint, his set a wonderful blues performance, influenced by rock, country with some infectious riffs and driving rhythms. Saratoga was a blues rock barnstormer, with powerful drums and some gorgeous heavy guitar riffs on display.

The band were tight and the harmonies and basslines were groovy and catchy, the perfect backdrop for Eddies stunning guitar solos. The crowd were loving the polished and thoroughly exhilarating and entertaining set.

Eddie 9V is a star of the future in the making, and has the full deal. Amazing guitar skills, energy and a genuine authenticity, able to switch effortlessly from raw energy to slow authentic ballads packed with emotion.

A great set that engaged the crowd and left them wanting more.

Setlist

Beg Borrow and Steal

The Come Up

Halo

Saratoga

3AM in Chicago

1945

Yella Alligator

Robert Jon & the Wreck is an American five-piece blues rock and Southern rock band. Formed in Orange County, California, United States, in 2011. They’ve released seven studio albums so far from their “Fire Started” debut in 2011 to “Red Moon Rising” released earlier this year.

Kicking off the set with power and energy in the form of Pain No More, the scene was set for the night. With High Time (from 2018’s “Robert Jon & The Wreck”) the style changed up, with a groove laden with funky elements with a drum beat to match.

The set was built around a core of tracks from the recent album “Red Moon Rising” with the likes of the title track Red Moon Rising, Hold On and Rager delivering some raw power and energy that had the audience hooked from the off.

But as well as the high energy, they’re equally at home dropping the pace and ramping up the emotion with tracks like the new album’s title track Red Moon Rising and Gold from the 2020 album “Last Light on the Highway” which deliver an intense introspective feel. And then there’s the latest single Point of View a stunning track packed with raw emotion and a haunting melody. It had the audience engrossed.

As the set draws to a close, we get one of the standout moments in Oh Miss Carolina the delivery was perfect and the crowd were singing along and then the band stopped and let the audience carry on. They didn’t disappoint, bringing huge grins to the bands faces. A wonderful moment of band and audience as one.

The main set ended with the wonderful Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man which had the audience transfixed as the lyrics were delivered with heartfelt passion and emotion. It has a tension to it that’s delivered with perfection, using the dark brooding tones to great effect. Powerful stuff !

For the encore, Robert jon & the Wreck gave us Shine a Light on Me, which once again had the house rockin’ as the band took turns to deliver solos for the crowd before the night drew to a close with Cold Night, which brought all the energy and passion together into one monumental crescendo.

Robert Jon & the Wreck are a special band who deliver a quality product with energy and a sense of fun. When you add in Eddie 9V….. you have a show for the ages. Its clear Nottingham has taken both to their hearts, and I’m sure it won’t be long before they’re back…..

Setlist

Pain No More

Rager

Hold On

High Time

Red Moon Rising

Point of View

Bring Me Back Home Again

Don’t Let Me Go

Gold

Oh Miss Carolina

Do You Remember