Tom Killner Band/Ramblin' Preachers/Kier –
Yellow Arch Studios, Kelham Island, Sheffield, Friday 22nd March, 2024
Well I gotta say that I personally love this part of Steel City and it almost feels like another planet in comparison to the rest of Sheffield due to its cleaner, hipster and cooler environment. Quite a stroll from the centre town but way worth it to say the least, with every venue around having an incredible selection Real Ales on offer...
Tonight we are at a nicely spacious venue that goes by the name of Yellow Arch Studios which is cashless (nooooo!) and has a cracking courtyard if you fancy a chill outside if getting too hot and bothered by the show taking place.
Set List: Gypsies Castle/We Made it/Strange Life /I’m So Hooked /Town Of Black /Let The Credits Roll (Unreleased)/Someone To You.
The opener is a lady who I saw previously at another marvellous venue a stones throw away from here a few months previous who for this gig strips down the line-up with just herself and one of her guitarists, making it a sweet acoustic affair for a while.
Miss. Burke was the most warming beautiful voice and gets everyone engrossed with her heartfelt songs and lovely, humble but confident personality to match with a variety of ballads and up-tempo country songs which are nothing but a pure delight to hear. Melinda Ward was blown away with what an incredible singer Kier is and she isn't usually a fan of country at all.
Highlights of her very much autobiographical 7 strong song set that mainly come from her album, 'Welcome To The Strange Life' included the positively up-tempo 'We Made It', the toe-tapping greatness of 'I'm So Hooked'; the quirky vaudevillian styled 'Town Of Black' and the anthemic Southern Rock closer that goes by the title of 'Someone To You' that she had us singing along to and even on our own in acapella form.
Maybe one day this blonde haired gem could duet with Dolly Parton since she has the soaring vocal chops that completely make her worthy. Her sparkly slacks were even borrowed from Tom Killner by all accounts.. hahaha....
Set List: Mind Your Own Business/Keep On/Jealousy/Green Manalishi/Keep Doing You/Hard Times/Wish You Well/Jester/Whipping Post/Separate Ways.
I last witnessed the band who are playing the sandwich filling slot at a big pub in the city centre that the late, legendary Martin Bedford had arranged. None other than Ramblin' Preachers who take us even further down south, cutting the mustard or should I say gritz in this case with their bluesy Americana sounds that get the likes of Steve Cooper immediately.
They have that dirty, deep, gutsy style with pure whiskey soaked vocals on top too that make me think of ZZ Top with touches of the Allman Brothers band – little wonder 'Whipping Post' came later in their performance which they completely nailed – no pun intended. Then there's the Country Quo'ness meets Georgia Satellites vibe of 'Keep Doing You' or Jester with its marvellous, wailing guitar solo.
Before you ask, no they did not end their set with a Journey cover – Lol. The number is another great cut from the 'Preachers that proves to be a milestone which goes down hot and slick like a good ole drop o'moonshine! These boys never cease to disappoint and I am sure they created a few more fans and friends alike tonight.
Set List: Cosmic Sounds/The Devil's Gate/Do Something About It/Home/Only You/No More/One Day At A Time/Heart Of Gold/Ride With Me/On The Other Side/Borrowed Time/Light It Up.
Anyway, tonight we are here to witness a man who is fast becoming a legend in these here parts and making his mark further afield as well - as far away as Spain so far...
The place is well and truly packed for the 'Borrowed Time' Album launch which proves that Tom himself and the band of course have really put the work in locally to garner so many avid fans from all over Steel City and beyond, cutting his teeth on tons of shows over the years. I must also give special credit to his Manager too, Jon Hardcastle who made this happen and promoted the hell out of it in all the right places – mass kudos to the big man!
This occasion sees Mr. Killner's band line-up with as many as 6 or 7 people on stage at once to add extra fat to the sound, making it even fuller that it usually. Those solid song arrangements benefit incredibly from this, in fact Andy Muse (Guitarist of Silverjet) has been newly added to the fold to who has the dynamic ability to mirror and match Tom throughout the proceedings.
A nice touch having some fiddle playing from Anthony Croft who I have seen from time to time in the Tom's various band guises as well as Wes Brook on the keys. There's the ever present Callum Houghton on Bass Guitar who is easily one of the finest, most nimble, quick-fingered, 4-string pluckers around these parts for sure and of course, the other half of the engine room, Drummer, Rich Hunter who provides that well-oiled, throbbing and booming backbeat!
I apologise if I have said this before but you would think Tom was from Texas or Georgia as opposed to Rotherham with those slick, ballsy, silky Southern styled, Country Blues and overall Americana tunes and riffs that he effortlessly dishes out to us with masses of warm love and uplifting personality. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone else smile so much on stage as this guy since he has so much passion for the music which completely comes out in his facial expressions and also extends to his body language.
Highlights of the set include the opening toe-tapping 'Cosmic Sounds'; 'The Devil's Gate' and beautiful ballad 'Only You' with the effect fiddle playing and Kier Burke joining him on vocals; the exquisite acoustic brilliance of 'Home' that's become something of a major favourite amongst the fans, the Tom Petty-like 'One Day At A Time' (again alongside Miss. B) with its gorgeous chorus or the fabulous rootin' tootin cooking country of 'Ride With Me' that wouldn't be out of place in a backwoods saloon bar – in fact none of these numbers would if I am being honest.
The show comes to a bright close with the pounding 'Light It Up' that's got plenty of piano soloing in there and plenty of guitar licks to savour over too. What a fabulous set they gave us with the guys all coming offstage to chat away with the folk, have the odd photo with them and sell plenty of merch – am hoping copious copies of the 'Borrowed Time' album if tonight's spectacle was anything to go by.
Always a pleasure to see Tom Killner and his cream of the crop band! Just like Spike and the Quireboys, he never disappoints and leaves you in a buzzing, vibrant, joyous mood for a long time after the show is done. The up-tempo musical vibe is alive and utterly magical. Seeing Tom perform up there on stage is at times like a moving, spiritual experience that makes the worst of days way better and no doubt gives many people a reason to carry on and look forward to the next one.
His talent oozes from him and outward into the audience, making you proud to be in his presence. The capabilities of Mr. K are long-lasting and it hopefully won't be too long before he's climbing up the concert bills of major tours in large arenas throughout the world.
By Glenn Milligan