ShareToseland performing his Renegade Tour at the Rock City Basement on Saturday 27th September 2014
Reviewer – Kevin Cooper
James Toseland was a world champion motor bike rider, being the first to win the World Championship with two different manufacturers and then suffered what turned out to be a career ending injury when he hurt his wrist in a testing accident in 2011. But on tonight’s showing, racing’s loss is most definitely music’s gain.
On a tiny stage, Toseland and his band; Zurab Melua and Ed Bamford, both outstanding on guitar, Roger Davis on bass and drummer Matt Eldridge, poured out a set of powerful rock and had the crowd completely won over. Touring to promote their debut album, the opener, Gotta Be A Better Way, showed us what was to come. With a great guitar solo, it snaked from one phrase to another and had a catchy riff that will have the crowd singing it for days after.
Delivering loud, down and dirty rock, this crowd loved it all. The song Life Is Beautiful, seemed to sum up Toseland’s life at the moment, and gave the crowd an adrenaline shot that had them kicking out with its hefty groove. Kingdoms showcased the bands blistering guitar work which when combined with the vocals was just fabulous. Other numbers followed; Emergency, Comin’ To Get Ya and the delightful power ballad, Just No Way; all showing that this young man was born to sing.
The encore brought us Crash Landing which is another sharp song, whilst the set was brought to a close with the album title, Renegade. This was an absolute belter of a song; showcasing Toseland’s strong voice and raspy sound. He was simply awesome and the crowd loved him with his infectious banter.
It is clear that he has the skill and the attitude to go onto bigger things, and judging by this sell-out crowd, it is only a matter of time before bigger venues beckon.