ShareKing King performing their Exile & Grace Tour at The Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday 18th January 2018.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Last night saw King King perform their rescheduled date at The Birmingham Town Hall, and after having had to previously cancel due to Alan Nimmo’s ongoing vocal recovery, it was clear to a packed Hall that he is definitely back on track.
King King are no ordinary band. What makes them way above average is the powerhouse rhythm section of Wayne Proctor on drums, bassist Lindsay Coulson and the dazzling fingers of Jonny Dyke on keyboards. But it is Alan Nimmo, the charismatic vocalist with his huge stage presence who leads this band from the front.
Touring to promote their fourth studio album, Exile & Grace, which was without doubt a contender for the best album of 2017, Nimmo, wearing his trademark kilt and boots launched straight in to new track, an unusual rock and roll number, (She Don’t) Gimme No Lovin’.
With his admitted influences being Free, Thunder and Bad Company, Nimmo sounded even better than his hero, Paul Rodgers, with his full bodied style, technical brilliance and impassioned vocals which are both infectious and instantly recognisable.
Slower song Waking Up together with You Stopped The Rain from their third album, Reaching For The Light, showcased Dyke’s prowess on the Hammond organ, and the evening just got better and better with the haunting Long History Of Love.
There were no frills to this performance, just killer songs performed with real passion. There was the soulful heavy blues of Rush Hour which saw real audience participation as they belted back the chorus; new song Long Time Running which went down a storm and the classic rock piece, Stranger To Love, which showcased a spectacular solo from Nimmo.
Ending their main set with fans favourite, All Your Life, they returned to the stage for a well deserved encore of the rather funky Let Love In which left this Birmingham crowd wanting more.
These Glaswegian rockers had given this appreciative audience an evening that was a mesmerising showcase of skilful blues, some well oiled rock and even a little bit of funk. They are without doubt a must see live band and a force to be reckoned with.
