DeWolff/Silveroller - Omeara Theatre, London, Saturday 23rd March, 2024
Tonight promises to be a sensational show. I say this as I have seen both bands previously and am thoroughly looking forward to it. Silveroller are an amazing throwback to the blues of the late sixties, early seventies. Think FREE and Paul Rogers, throw in the stage craft too of David Coverdale and you are somewhere near what this 5-piece band sound like.
But it is the awesome DeWolff that headline and their own version of the blues and so much more will surely blow our collective minds. Pablo Van De Poel (Guitar/Vocals) Luka Van De Poel (Drums/Vocals) and Robin Piso (Hammond organ) have been a joy to behold on my previous encounters so my expectancy levels are in the stratosphere!
The Omeara is a new experience for me. The venue itself holds around 600 people, is small and intimate so it is sure to get somewhat hot and sweaty. The stage is small surrounded by an ornate archway and brickwork which can be seen throughout. Another thing to mention is the lack of a photo pit which will make getting decent photos interesting. I say interesting and indeed it is as I meet a well-known Rock star taking photos, this star is no other than Myke Gray from Jagged Edge, Skin and Red White and Blues fame!
Silveroller take to the stage and immediately fill it! There is virtually no space for Rev. Jonnie Hotson (vocals) or Aaron Keylock (guitar) to perform, but perform they do, playing the entirety of their recently released E.P. At Dawn. After getting some shots of James Cornes (bass) and Joe Major (drums) I move to the other side of the stage but can only see Ross Munro and his massive organ!
The set that begins with ‘Black Crow’ immediately transports you back to a time of flares, scarves and patchouli. How does Hotson get his hair like that? It is almost as amazing as the music we are hearing! The open mellow notes of ‘Turn To Gold’ comes next as Paul Rogers, sorry, Hotson twirls the mike stand dangerously within the limited space, Keylock treating us to some tasteful guitar which is layered with organ, fantastic!
‘Ways Of Saying’ now fills the transfixed venue, Keylock starting with a delicious slide opening, the Reverend keeping it slow before the song explodes into blues magic, think David Coverdale on his Northwinds album. The Omeara is loving it, the bass of seventies moustachioed porn star looking Cornes holding it all together with subtle precision, the drums of Major giving the perfect foil for the others to build on.
‘Come On, Come In’ comes next and it is simply a moment that Frees your soul, gentle and full of emotion, delivered by a bunch of ROCK gods. The venue is in awe and wonderment, “as we come in out of the rain”. ‘Hold On Me’ proves to be the set closer and starts with pulsating drums before turning into a barnstorming rocker! Flourishes of Munro on Hammond meld together with guitar as Hotson’s vocals take the song to another level. Judging by the audience reaction this is a favourite.
He was warned of the coming invasion, coming in from the sea and we believe that freedoms got a hold on me. The song builds and builds with slabs of guitar! It brings to an end a pulsating show that is stunning from start to finish. Little do I know at this time that Silveroller will be back on the stage later. For now I will conclude with; British Blues Rock is in more than safe hands. Silveroller could and should become huge. I am pleased to say that I was there at the beginning, well almost. Superb! The future meets the past so get on board now.
DeWolff may well have their work cut out to emulate their chosen support act. Five turns to three, can the brothers Pablo and Luka with Robin pull it off? Well after the opening number the answer is an unequivocal yes. DeWolff really do lift the roof off and take us into the stratosphere, this is evident by the first song of proceeding with Pablo stepping off the stage and immediately walking through the open-mouthed crowd while stunning all present with frenzied, fiery guitar, something he does many times as the show progresses, each time he goes a bit deeper into the crowd.
Before proceeding forward, it is time for a brief bit of history. Dewolff formed in Holland in 2007 and have amassed 11 studio albums if you include their debut E.P which contains the longest song title ever, ‘The Thrills That Come Along With The Landing Of A Flying Saucer’. Since those early days the band have developed and expanded their sound to incorporate everything, Soul, Blues, Psychedelia and Rock. Every album takes you further than you thought possible. I have been lucky enough to have been on that journey with them since ‘Thrust’. I have also been lucky enough to witness the band twice previously. So tonight, I know that I and the rest of my accompanying family will be mesmerised by what we see.
Sorry about that interlude, now it’s time to get on board the ‘Night Train’! From this opener you are left in no doubt who the headliners are as we begin a journey of electrifying musical intensity that blows the minds of everyone fortunate enough to be in the Omeara. The percussion, that Hammond organ, the guitar and vocals take you to places no other band can. Pablo tells us how delighted DeWolff are at playing their first full headline U.K tour, he somewhat sarcastically teases us that he did not expect such good facilities. He mused that no one seems to speak English, having travelled the country from Scotland! He then compensates by saying that he has a good British beer, before picking up a can of Moretti!
'Treasure City Moonchild’ comes next from ‘Wolff Pack’, it begins with a kind of shuffle then takes you on a delightful trip which incorporates everything this band can throw at us, bah bah, bah bah, bah, bah, wait for that guitar. ‘Will’o The Wisp’ is the next offering, from the recently released, ‘Love, Death & In Between’ album. It is a gentle blues ride with impassioned vocals, loose drums, superb Hammond and guitar. The interplay between Pablo and Robin is telepathic as the song is extended in a manner reminiscent of Blackmore and Lord. When playing live DeWolff go off on tangents and directions that appear spontaneous, no shows can be the same hence my Blackmore / Lord comparison.
With the crowd in a state of musical delirium next up is ‘Tragedy? Not Today’ from ‘Thrust’, watch out for those snake eyes! It is hard to put into words just how DeWolff’s music transforms on stage and almost impossible to explain their togetherness that emanates from stage to those present. Having just watched a 5-piece where the music is full with little space, it is incredible how this trio manage to create such a full sound, each player excels with organic originality.
‘R. U. My Saviour’, again from Wolff Pack, keeps things flowing fabulously, it is light with a gospel feel and kind of funky. Like everything before, it is extended compared to the studio version which turns it to a riveting listen and watch.
‘Tired Of Loving You’ is a blues masterpiece, it has more feeling than a multitude of other bands could dream of, the keys at the beginning sprinkle notes like falling confetti on a breeze in spring as Robin embraces his inner Jon Lord before Pablo’s voice liltingly takes over his guitar almost crying with angst and pain.
Towards the end of ‘Tired’ I was able to speak with the band members of Silveroller and this is when they informed me that they would be joining DeWolff on stage for a jam to a Free song and invited me onto the stage where I was able to take a few shots as they launched into their rendition of ‘Walk In My Shadow’. Eight of the finest musicians jamming in spectacular fashion. On this tour they have formed a bond and friendship that is a joy to behold. Briefly there are nine on stage as I stand just behind Robin taking my shots, what a moment! The hugs afterwards are honest and sincere. Go to YouTube and watch the clip for yourself.
Then it is over. Surely not! It’s way to early! DeWolff return to the stage for one last song. It may only be a one song encore but this song is Rosita which is 6 minutes 30 seconds long in album form. The song is about love and loss and everything in between. Pablo tells us it could go on for maybe 20 minutes, who knows! However, here, tonight at the Omeara we are treated to an even longer version as it goes off in a myriad of tangents before each time returning to the main theme then heading into yet another direction, it is the ultimate show stopper, the ultimate example of virtuoso interplay and expression and it lasts over 25 minutes! Perhaps rivalling the previously mentioned extremely long song title! Outstanding.
It has been the most fabulous and extraordinary evening, thank you. At DeWolff’s next British headline tour we look forward to the extra treat of them bringing their backing singers and musicians and a show that lasts 2 hours plus.
But until then this tour will live long in the memories of all who attended. DeWolff the greatest thing out of Holland since Clogs or Tulips!
By Paul Mace