Californian rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have embarked on a series of live shows to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album ‘Howl’. This specific record is notorious amongst fans of the group for slowing down their garage rock-inspired playing into more of a folk and country effort. It feels more stripped back and contemplative than their prior two albums, something that resonated with critics and audiences when it dropped in 2005.
Night Beats opened the night with a set that drew from psychedelic and soul influences. The Seattle-based group were a great pick to keep the soundscape rich and diverse. It was a gentle set and certainly set the atmosphere for what was to come. Rock City is a venue in Nottingham that is known for its heavy metal and hard rock history. However, it created the perfect backdrop for a night of chill music.
The set did follow a somewhat chronological order to the record it was celebrating. Yet there were a few fan favourites from other albums thrown in. ‘Spread Your Love’ was met by a large reaction from the crowd and definitely brought the energy up towards the end of the night. The night ended with 'Shadow's Keeper.' It was a great combination of raw guitar playing and an energy that was built so meticulously through the night.
The modern-day garage rock legends are still unstoppable twenty years on from the album that shifted their sound and changed their tone.
Emily Teague
Images: Ben Lord
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