These Wicked Rivers + 1 - Ipswich 8/6/25

These Wicked Rivers/Creeping Jean -

St Stephens Church Ipswich, Sunday 8th June 2025

Set List: Ten Kisses/Rattle/Spice Rack/When’s The Blowout/Fluorescent Orange Skies/Sassy Got Shakes/Big Cheese/Money Road/Warm & Fuzzy.

What a magnificent venue this is! The headliners were wicked! Their music flowed like a river! But before I talk about them let’s talk about Creeping Jean!

I know strange name, but the music is 60’s / 70’s flared Rock excellence. The five piece from Brighton were a new band to me, but so impressed was I that an impromptu photoshoot took place after their set.

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I look forward to seeing them again when they support Rival Sons in Ipswich next month. Various members take charge of the vocals which creates something different. Scorching twin guitar work; along with a big bass and drum sound which is embellished by a tambourine, make Creeping Jean a ‘Big Cheese’ which is a moody blues number drenched in attitude and power!

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From what I can see the group normally have a keyboardist but not tonight. I can only add this band will be creeping into your consciousness given the chance.

Set List: Shine On/Black Gold/Evergreen/Old Willow Tree/When The War Is Won/Riverboat Man/Ain’t No Smoke/Lonely Road/This Train/Just To Be A Man/Force Of Nature/The Family/Testify/Horse To Water/Don’t Pray For Me.

Derby based These Wicked Rivers are unlike any other band you will see. Before I get into their music, I have to tell you about their stage props. They consist of lampshades, bunches of flowers, an antique globe, a hatstand, drapes and all manners of soft furnishings. This creates a cottage, homely vibe. It’s like having someone play in your living room - well mine anyway!

Then you get the band, John Hartwell (Vocals/Guitar) stands like a colossus, his voice powerful and delicate as he delivers his storied lyrics. Then you have Drummer, Dan Southall who tonight is in a Perspex cage to prevent unwanted damage being done to this historic, beautiful church.

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Bassist John Hallam’s hair and beard bob in unison as he delivers his rhythms. On lead guitar you have six string sensation Aaron Day, wears his big hat and sun glasses giving him the look of a Rock God. He spins and moves ceaselessly as the notes flow from his guitars, his twin neck looks sensational.

On keyboards, we have Rich Wilson who embellishes the sound with class and dexterity. These Wicked Rivers are a ‘Force Of Nature’, they make you feel like you are part of ‘The Family’, once you discover them you have struck ‘Black Gold’, I can truly ‘Testify’ to that. Their brand of Soulful Blues is almost spiritual; it puts them at the forefront of a new UK Rock scene.

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This is my 3rd encounter with them, previously they have been special guests (support), both times they have given the headliners more than a run for their money. My expectations are sky high for this headline show. They deliver with energy and pure passion. We in the church are the devoted congregation, the stain glass windows and the architecture increase the visual vibe of the occasion.

There are many highlights the new songs being amongst them ‘Old Willow Tree’, has a lightly funky intro then Hartwell takes over with impassioned vocals. ‘Horse To Water’ is a bit of Southern Blues with some nice emotive guitar.