Eventim Apollo
London, England
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Set 1Junior's Wailing
Backwater
Just Take Me
Is There a Better Way
In My Chair
Blue Eyed Lady
Little Lady
Most of the Time
Rain
(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
Railroad
Oh Baby
Forty-Five Hundred Times / Gotta Go Home
Big Fat Mama
Down Down
Roadhouse Blues
Caroline
Bye Bye Johnny
Backwater
Just Take Me
Is There a Better Way
In My Chair
Blue Eyed Lady
Little Lady
Most of the Time
Rain
(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
Railroad
Oh Baby
Forty-Five Hundred Times / Gotta Go Home
Big Fat Mama
Down Down
Roadhouse Blues
Caroline
Bye Bye Johnny
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1[announcement]
Lily
Hounds Of Love
Joanni
[banter]
Top Of The City
Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
King Of The Mountain
The Ninth Wave:
[video: The Astronomer]
[video: And Dream Of Sheep]
Under Ice
Waking The Witch
[sketch: Father And Son]
Watching You Without Me
Jig Of Life
Hello Earth
The Morning Fog
[banter]
[announcement]
[intermission]
Lily
Hounds Of Love
Joanni
[banter]
Top Of The City
Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
King Of The Mountain
The Ninth Wave:
[video: The Astronomer]
[video: And Dream Of Sheep]
Under Ice
Waking The Witch
[sketch: Father And Son]
Watching You Without Me
Jig Of Life
Hello Earth
The Morning Fog
[banter]
[announcement]
[intermission]
Set 2A Sky Of Honey:
Prelude
Prologue
An Architect's Dream
The Painter's Link
Sunset
Aerial Tal
Somewhere In Between
Tawny Moon¹
Nocturn
Aerial
[banter]
Among Angels
[banter]
Cloudbusting
Prelude
Prologue
An Architect's Dream
The Painter's Link
Sunset
Aerial Tal
Somewhere In Between
Tawny Moon¹
Nocturn
Aerial
[banter]
Among Angels
[banter]
Cloudbusting
Set 3
Set 1Lily
Hounds of Love
Joanni
Top of the City
Running Up That Hill
King of the Mountain
video: phoning the coastguards
video: And Dream of Sheep
Under Ice
Waking the Witch
skit: Father and son
Watching You Without Me
Jig of Life
Hello Earth
The Morning Fog
A Sky of Honey
prelude
prologue
An Architect's Dream
The Painter's Link
Sunset
Aerial Tal
Somewhere in Between
Tawny Moon
Nocturn
Aerial
Among Angels
Cloudbusting
Hounds of Love
Joanni
Top of the City
Running Up That Hill
King of the Mountain
video: phoning the coastguards
video: And Dream of Sheep
Under Ice
Waking the Witch
skit: Father and son
Watching You Without Me
Jig of Life
Hello Earth
The Morning Fog
A Sky of Honey
prelude
prologue
An Architect's Dream
The Painter's Link
Sunset
Aerial Tal
Somewhere in Between
Tawny Moon
Nocturn
Aerial
Among Angels
Cloudbusting
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1Lily
Hounds Of Love
Joanni
Top Of The City
Running Up That Hill
King Of The Mountain
The Astronomer's Tale
And Dream Of Sheep
Under Ice
Waking The Witch
Father And Son
Watching You Without Me
Jig Of Life
Hello Earth
The Morning Fog
Prelude
Prologue
An Architect's Dream
The Painter's Link
Sunset
Aerial Tal
Somewhere In Between
Tawny Moon
Nocturn
Aerial
Among Angels
Cloudbusting
Hounds Of Love
Joanni
Top Of The City
Running Up That Hill
King Of The Mountain
The Astronomer's Tale
And Dream Of Sheep
Under Ice
Waking The Witch
Father And Son
Watching You Without Me
Jig Of Life
Hello Earth
The Morning Fog
Prelude
Prologue
An Architect's Dream
The Painter's Link
Sunset
Aerial Tal
Somewhere In Between
Tawny Moon
Nocturn
Aerial
Among Angels
Cloudbusting
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1Last Open Road
Work Gang
Where The Blues Come From
Josephine
Easy Rider
'Til The Morning Sun Shines On My Love And Me
Julia
Stony Road
Come So Far, Yet Still So Far To Go
Somewhere Between Highway 61 & 49
Stainsby Girls
The Road To Hell
On The Beach
Let's Dance
Driving Home For Christmas
Work Gang
Where The Blues Come From
Josephine
Easy Rider
'Til The Morning Sun Shines On My Love And Me
Julia
Stony Road
Come So Far, Yet Still So Far To Go
Somewhere Between Highway 61 & 49
Stainsby Girls
The Road To Hell
On The Beach
Let's Dance
Driving Home For Christmas
Set 2
Set 3
CommentChris Rea - guitars, vocals
Anto Drennan - guitar
Neil Drinkwater - keyboards
Sylvin Marc - bass guitar
Kirt Rust - drums
Island Sky:
Julie Isaac - backing vocals
Debbie Longworth - backing vocals
Anto Drennan - guitar
Neil Drinkwater - keyboards
Sylvin Marc - bass guitar
Kirt Rust - drums
Island Sky:
Julie Isaac - backing vocals
Debbie Longworth - backing vocals
Set 1Shake Dog Shake
Kyoto Song
A Night Like This
Wailing Wall
The Caterpillar
The Walk
Sleep When I'm Dead
A Man Inside My Mouth
Bananafishbones
Push
Inbetween Day
Friday I'm In Love
Doing The Unstuck
Pictures Of You
Lullaby
Birdmad Girl
Lovesong
Just Like Heaven
Like Cockatoos
From The Edge OF The Deep Green Sea
Want
One Hundred Years
Give Me It
Encore 1:
The Empty World
Charlotte Sometimes
Primary
The Top
Encore 2:
Three Imaginary Boys
M
Play For Today
A Forest
Encore 3:
Piggy In The Mirror
Never Enough
Fascination Street
Wrong Number
Encore 4:
Dressing Up
The Lovecats
Close To Me
Why Can't I Be You?
Boys Don't Cry
Hey You!
Kyoto Song
A Night Like This
Wailing Wall
The Caterpillar
The Walk
Sleep When I'm Dead
A Man Inside My Mouth
Bananafishbones
Push
Inbetween Day
Friday I'm In Love
Doing The Unstuck
Pictures Of You
Lullaby
Birdmad Girl
Lovesong
Just Like Heaven
Like Cockatoos
From The Edge OF The Deep Green Sea
Want
One Hundred Years
Give Me It
Encore 1:
The Empty World
Charlotte Sometimes
Primary
The Top
Encore 2:
Three Imaginary Boys
M
Play For Today
A Forest
Encore 3:
Piggy In The Mirror
Never Enough
Fascination Street
Wrong Number
Encore 4:
Dressing Up
The Lovecats
Close To Me
Why Can't I Be You?
Boys Don't Cry
Hey You!
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1This Blue World
Any Day Now
Fly Boy Blue/Lunette
Fugitive Motel
The Bones Of You
Mexican Standoff
One Day Like This
Bitten By The Tailfly
Real Life (Angel)
Switching Off
The Birds
Lippy Kids
The Take Off & Landing Of Everything
Newborn
Grounds For Divorce
My Sad Captains
Any Day Now
Fly Boy Blue/Lunette
Fugitive Motel
The Bones Of You
Mexican Standoff
One Day Like This
Bitten By The Tailfly
Real Life (Angel)
Switching Off
The Birds
Lippy Kids
The Take Off & Landing Of Everything
Newborn
Grounds For Divorce
My Sad Captains
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1Destinies Entwined
Still A Freak
A Girl Called Johnny
We Will Not Be Lovers
Nearest Thing To Hip
Rosalind (You Married The Wrong Guy)
Medicine Bow
Glastonbury Song
Song Of Wandering Aengus
Wonders Of Lewis
The Return Of Jimi Hendrix
Don't Bang The Drum
The Whole Of The Moon
Long Strange Golden Road
Fisherman's Blues
How Long Will I Love You
“Me And David Hood”
Still A Freak
A Girl Called Johnny
We Will Not Be Lovers
Nearest Thing To Hip
Rosalind (You Married The Wrong Guy)
Medicine Bow
Glastonbury Song
Song Of Wandering Aengus
Wonders Of Lewis
The Return Of Jimi Hendrix
Don't Bang The Drum
The Whole Of The Moon
Long Strange Golden Road
Fisherman's Blues
How Long Will I Love You
“Me And David Hood”
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1Don't Drink The Water
Satellite
When The World Ends
Grey Street
The Space Between
Funny The Way It Is
Stay Or Leave
A Tangled Web We Weave
Gravedigger
Crush
Satellite
When The World Ends
Grey Street
The Space Between
Funny The Way It Is
Stay Or Leave
A Tangled Web We Weave
Gravedigger
Crush
Set 2Virginia In The Rain
Warehouse
Fool To Think
Lie In Our Graves
Samurai Cop
#41
What Would You Say
Tim solo
Bismarck
Corn Bread
Two Step
E: Little Red Bird
You Might Die Trying
Warehouse
Fool To Think
Lie In Our Graves
Samurai Cop
#41
What Would You Say
Tim solo
Bismarck
Corn Bread
Two Step
E: Little Red Bird
You Might Die Trying
Set 3
Set 1Little Thing
Bartender
Dreamgirl
Old Dirt Hill
Save Me
Pretty Bird
So Damn Lucky
Grab The Horns By The Bull
Sugar Will
So Much To Say
Tripping Billies
Bartender
Dreamgirl
Old Dirt Hill
Save Me
Pretty Bird
So Damn Lucky
Grab The Horns By The Bull
Sugar Will
So Much To Say
Tripping Billies
Set 2Death On The High Seas
Minarets
You And Me
Black And Blue Bird
Jimi Thing
Where Are You Going
Worried Man Blues
The Stone
Summer Night In December
She's A Woman
Rapunzel
Dancing Nancies
E: Oh
All Along The Watchtower
Crash Into Me
Minarets
You And Me
Black And Blue Bird
Jimi Thing
Where Are You Going
Worried Man Blues
The Stone
Summer Night In December
She's A Woman
Rapunzel
Dancing Nancies
E: Oh
All Along The Watchtower
Crash Into Me
Set 3
Set 1Heading South on the Great North Road (Sting acoustic before opening acts)
Synchronicity II (The Police song)
Spirits in the Material World (The Police song)
Englishman in New York
I Can't Stop Thinking About You
One Fine Day
She's Too Good for Me
I Hung My Head
Fields of Gold
Petrol Head
Down, Down, Down
Shape of My Heart
Pretty Young Soldier
Message in a Bottle (The Police song)
Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie cover) (sung by Joe Sumner)
50,000
Walking on the Moon (The Police song)
So Lonely (The Police song)
Desert Rose
Roxanne (The Police song) (with "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers snippet)
Next to You (The Police song)
Every Breath You Take (The Police song)
Fragile
Synchronicity II (The Police song)
Spirits in the Material World (The Police song)
Englishman in New York
I Can't Stop Thinking About You
One Fine Day
She's Too Good for Me
I Hung My Head
Fields of Gold
Petrol Head
Down, Down, Down
Shape of My Heart
Pretty Young Soldier
Message in a Bottle (The Police song)
Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie cover) (sung by Joe Sumner)
50,000
Walking on the Moon (The Police song)
So Lonely (The Police song)
Desert Rose
Roxanne (The Police song) (with "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers snippet)
Next to You (The Police song)
Every Breath You Take (The Police song)
Fragile
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1I'm A Man >
Fly
At Times We Do Forget
Pearly Queen
Them Changes
Can't Find My Way Home
Had To Cry Today
The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys >
Empty Pages
Light Up Or Leave Me Alone
Higher Love *
encore:
Dear Mr. Fantasy *
Gimme Some Lovin'
Fly
At Times We Do Forget
Pearly Queen
Them Changes
Can't Find My Way Home
Had To Cry Today
The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys >
Empty Pages
Light Up Or Leave Me Alone
Higher Love *
encore:
Dear Mr. Fantasy *
Gimme Some Lovin'
Set 2
Set 3
CommentSteve Winwood - Hammond B3, guitar, vocals
Jose Neto - guitar, backing vocals
Paul Booth - brass, Hammond B3, backing vocals
Edwin Sanz - percussion
Richard Bailey - drums
guest
Lilly Winwood - vocals *
Jose Neto - guitar, backing vocals
Paul Booth - brass, Hammond B3, backing vocals
Edwin Sanz - percussion
Richard Bailey - drums
guest
Lilly Winwood - vocals *
Set 1Seek Up
Don’t Drink The Water
Do You Remember
Louisiana Bayou
Fool To Think
You Might Die Trying
Samurai Cop
Time Of The Season
Stand Up (For It)
Recently
The Space Between
Can’t Stop
Lying In The Hands Of God
You And Me
Minarets
Funny The Way It Is
#41
Pantala Naga Pampa/Rapunzel
E: Sister
All Along The Watchtower
Don’t Drink The Water
Do You Remember
Louisiana Bayou
Fool To Think
You Might Die Trying
Samurai Cop
Time Of The Season
Stand Up (For It)
Recently
The Space Between
Can’t Stop
Lying In The Hands Of God
You And Me
Minarets
Funny The Way It Is
#41
Pantala Naga Pampa/Rapunzel
E: Sister
All Along The Watchtower
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1You Never Know
That Girl Is You
Seven
Warehouse
Again And Again
Dancing Nancies
Say Goodbye
Save Me
Everyday
Here On Out
Sledgehammer
She
Crush
Gravedigger
So Much To Say
Granny
Jimi Thing
Grey Street
E: Ants Marching
That Girl Is You
Seven
Warehouse
Again And Again
Dancing Nancies
Say Goodbye
Save Me
Everyday
Here On Out
Sledgehammer
She
Crush
Gravedigger
So Much To Say
Granny
Jimi Thing
Grey Street
E: Ants Marching
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1Days Go By
Wild Hearts
The Fighter
Never Coming Down
Parallel Lines
Somewhere In My Car
Night Falls
John Cougar, John Deere, John 3-16
Superman
God Whispered Your Name
One Too Many
Easy On Me
You'll Think Of Me
Somebody Like You
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Blue Ain't Your Color
The Fighter
Wasted Time
Stupid Boy
Wild Hearts
The Fighter
Never Coming Down
Parallel Lines
Somewhere In My Car
Night Falls
John Cougar, John Deere, John 3-16
Superman
God Whispered Your Name
One Too Many
Easy On Me
You'll Think Of Me
Somebody Like You
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Blue Ain't Your Color
The Fighter
Wasted Time
Stupid Boy
Set 1IMprovisation
So May It Secretly Begin
Bright Size Life
Timeline
Always And Forever
Better Days Ahead
Jaco
When We Were Free
It Starts When We Disappear
Phase Dance
Farmer's Trust
Broadway Blues/turnaround
Zenith Blue
Encore 1
Minuano (six Eight)/as It Is/september 15/omaha Celebration/antonia/slip Away/this Is Not America/last Train Home
Are You Going With Me?
Encore 2
Make Peace
Song For Bilbao
And I Love Her
So May It Secretly Begin
Bright Size Life
Timeline
Always And Forever
Better Days Ahead
Jaco
When We Were Free
It Starts When We Disappear
Phase Dance
Farmer's Trust
Broadway Blues/turnaround
Zenith Blue
Encore 1
Minuano (six Eight)/as It Is/september 15/omaha Celebration/antonia/slip Away/this Is Not America/last Train Home
Are You Going With Me?
Encore 2
Make Peace
Song For Bilbao
And I Love Her
Set 2
Set 3
CommentPat Metheny - guitars
Chris Fishman - keyboards, piano, organ
Joe Dyson - drums
Chris Fishman - keyboards, piano, organ
Joe Dyson - drums
Set 1intro
Shanty
Star Roving
Catch the Breeze
Skin in the Game
Crazy for You
Souvlaki Space Station
Chained to a Cloud
Slomo
Kisses
Alison
When the Sun Hits
40 Days
Shanty
Star Roving
Catch the Breeze
Skin in the Game
Crazy for You
Souvlaki Space Station
Chained to a Cloud
Slomo
Kisses
Alison
When the Sun Hits
40 Days
Set 2Sugar for the Pill
Dagger
Golden Hair (Syd Barrett cover)
Dagger
Golden Hair (Syd Barrett cover)
Set 3
Set 1With band
Way Of The Triune God
Percheron Mules
Country Squire
I Swear (To God)
Rustin’ In The Rain
All Your'n >
Purgatory
In Your Love
Whitehouse Road
Angel Band
Old Country Church
Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Hare Krishna Chant >
Two Coats
Tyler talking
Going Home
Solo acoustic set
Lady May
Follow You To Virgie
With band
Trudy (includes bass solo)
Honky Tonk Flame >
Tulsa Turnaround
House Fire (with fiddle tune intro) >
Universal Sound
Way Of The Triune God
Percheron Mules
Country Squire
I Swear (To God)
Rustin’ In The Rain
All Your'n >
Purgatory
In Your Love
Whitehouse Road
Angel Band
Old Country Church
Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Hare Krishna Chant >
Two Coats
Tyler talking
Going Home
Solo acoustic set
Lady May
Follow You To Virgie
With band
Trudy (includes bass solo)
Honky Tonk Flame >
Tulsa Turnaround
House Fire (with fiddle tune intro) >
Universal Sound
Set 2
Set 3
CommentTyler Childers - vocals, guitars
Craig Burletic - bass
Jimmy Matt Rowland - keyboards
Rodney Elkins - drums
James Barker - pedal steel, guitar
C J Cain - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin
"The Professor" Jesse Wells - electric guitar, mandolin, banjo,fiddle
Craig Burletic - bass
Jimmy Matt Rowland - keyboards
Rodney Elkins - drums
James Barker - pedal steel, guitar
C J Cain - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin
"The Professor" Jesse Wells - electric guitar, mandolin, banjo,fiddle
Set 1Have a Good Time
Beers and Sunshine
For the First Time
Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It
Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover) (with Tyler Booth)
Fires Don’t Start Themselves
It Won’t Be Like This for Long
This
Let Her Cry (Hootie & the Blowfish song)
I Like It, I Love It (Tim McGraw cover)
Waterfalls (TLC cover)
Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe cover)
Come Back Song
History in the Making
True Believers
If I Told You
Radio
Hold My Hand (Hootie & the Blowfish song)
Alright
Only Wanna Be With You (Hootie & the Blowfish song)
Homegrown Honey
Listen to the Music (The Doobie Brothers cover)
Encore:
Valerie (The Zutons cover)
Never Been Over
Champagne Supernova (Oasis cover)
Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show cover)
Beers and Sunshine
For the First Time
Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It
Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover) (with Tyler Booth)
Fires Don’t Start Themselves
It Won’t Be Like This for Long
This
Let Her Cry (Hootie & the Blowfish song)
I Like It, I Love It (Tim McGraw cover)
Waterfalls (TLC cover)
Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe cover)
Come Back Song
History in the Making
True Believers
If I Told You
Radio
Hold My Hand (Hootie & the Blowfish song)
Alright
Only Wanna Be With You (Hootie & the Blowfish song)
Homegrown Honey
Listen to the Music (The Doobie Brothers cover)
Encore:
Valerie (The Zutons cover)
Never Been Over
Champagne Supernova (Oasis cover)
Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show cover)
CommentAs the year starts to build up on the live music front and becomes increasingly busier for UK venues to host world class international acts in the lead up to summer, London Country aficionados braved the still-chilling May weather to head over to West London’s Eventim Apollo last night to catch 90’s rock icon, Darius Rucker.
Known for his time as principal songwriter and lead vocalist of two-time Grammy Award winning outfit, Hootie & The Blowfish, Rucker turned his attention to Country music back in 2008 with the release of his first album in the genre, Learn To Live. Since then he has gone on to become one of the best selling and most respected artists of the genre, scoring a handful of hits including his number one debut single, Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It and making waves as a black artist in Country music long before Beyonce.
Celebrating the release of his latest record, Carolyn’s Boy – an ode to the superstar’s mother who passed her son found fame – Rucker is back in the UK to play songs from the LP for his dedicated Hootie and solo fanbase and a fanbase that filled the Eventim Apollo very early with their cowboy hats, caps and flannel t-shirts in time for the singers sturdy 28 song set.
Cracking the lid on the show, Rucker delivered a bouncy version of new album fan favourite, Have a Good Time – an appropriate and encouraging title and start to the show with the crowd warming up their support vocals as the musician prowled the stage dressed casually in cap, maroon t-shirt and jeans, showing us early on that this show was substance over style.
Beers and Sunshine was a catchy early addition while strings were introduced to the set on For The First Time thanks to his violin playing band mate – one of 6 long time Rucker band members that spread themselves across the width of the stage and would periodically join the frontman at the front for short choreographed moments during the night.
The icon of 90’s soft rock was the ever-charming performer as he danced around the stage to fans that were frenzied right from the get go as they belted out numbers like solo number one Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It, This and a foot-thumping cover of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues alongside support act Tyler Booth who was invited back on stage to perform alongside the singer in the nights token duet. Even if the vocal balance between the two singers was a little low, the track proved a popular one with the fans.
A few hit and miss covers were thrown into the mix with Rucker offering his own take on some of his peers’ works including the Nash collaborative favourite. A rendition of Tim McGraw’s I Like It, I Love It and some homegrown love for The Zuton’s Valerie beamed within the set and were lapped up by the crowd. A mid-section performance where Rucker announced “Let us go back to a time we love called the 90s” was a little shaky and dare I day – underwhelming and awkward – as his catchy McGraw cover was paired up with stale and unfitting covers of TLC’s mega-hit Waterfalls and a cringy version of Bell Biv DeVoe’s Poison but thankfully it seemed to be the only hiccup in a night otherwise filled with winners.
Outside of his Country scented set, the glory of the night was awarded to the Hootie highlights. An early performance of Hootie and the Blowfish ballad Let Her Cry won the crowds hearts while fellow mega-hits from the bands vaults – Hold My Hand and Only Wanna Be With You – had the band bouncing around the stage while fans held phones in the air to record the energetic and quick delivered vocals of the latter.
While Rucker might have mastered the Country genre some time back, I would have called last night a country concert. While dipped in the genre, the style of Rucker’s work of late sways more toward Blowfish than banjo with his unmistakable voice that will forever be associated to his 90’s rock work. Overall the show was a fantastic return for the star who’s shine on UK fan’s hearts is far from fading.
DARIUS RUCKER BIOGRAPHY
Rucker first attained multi-platinum status in the music industry as former lead singer and rhythm guitarist of GRAMMY award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish. Since re-introducing himself to the world as a country artist, he has released four consecutive albums to top the Billboard Country albums chart and earned a whole new legion of fans. In 2014, Rucker won his third career GRAMMY award for Best Solo Country Performance for his triple platinum selling cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” off his album, True Believers. Rucker’s first two country albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966 produced five No. 1 singles including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Southern Style, his fourth studio country album, features his seventh No. 1 single “Homegrown Honey,” co-written by Rucker, label mate Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Nathan Chapman. Rucker’s heartfelt new single, “If I Told You," became Rucker's eigthth No.1 on country radio. TWILIGHT CENTURY MEDIA | Manalishi Films [Home Media ROIO release ]
Known for his time as principal songwriter and lead vocalist of two-time Grammy Award winning outfit, Hootie & The Blowfish, Rucker turned his attention to Country music back in 2008 with the release of his first album in the genre, Learn To Live. Since then he has gone on to become one of the best selling and most respected artists of the genre, scoring a handful of hits including his number one debut single, Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It and making waves as a black artist in Country music long before Beyonce.
Celebrating the release of his latest record, Carolyn’s Boy – an ode to the superstar’s mother who passed her son found fame – Rucker is back in the UK to play songs from the LP for his dedicated Hootie and solo fanbase and a fanbase that filled the Eventim Apollo very early with their cowboy hats, caps and flannel t-shirts in time for the singers sturdy 28 song set.
Cracking the lid on the show, Rucker delivered a bouncy version of new album fan favourite, Have a Good Time – an appropriate and encouraging title and start to the show with the crowd warming up their support vocals as the musician prowled the stage dressed casually in cap, maroon t-shirt and jeans, showing us early on that this show was substance over style.
Beers and Sunshine was a catchy early addition while strings were introduced to the set on For The First Time thanks to his violin playing band mate – one of 6 long time Rucker band members that spread themselves across the width of the stage and would periodically join the frontman at the front for short choreographed moments during the night.
The icon of 90’s soft rock was the ever-charming performer as he danced around the stage to fans that were frenzied right from the get go as they belted out numbers like solo number one Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It, This and a foot-thumping cover of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues alongside support act Tyler Booth who was invited back on stage to perform alongside the singer in the nights token duet. Even if the vocal balance between the two singers was a little low, the track proved a popular one with the fans.
A few hit and miss covers were thrown into the mix with Rucker offering his own take on some of his peers’ works including the Nash collaborative favourite. A rendition of Tim McGraw’s I Like It, I Love It and some homegrown love for The Zuton’s Valerie beamed within the set and were lapped up by the crowd. A mid-section performance where Rucker announced “Let us go back to a time we love called the 90s” was a little shaky and dare I day – underwhelming and awkward – as his catchy McGraw cover was paired up with stale and unfitting covers of TLC’s mega-hit Waterfalls and a cringy version of Bell Biv DeVoe’s Poison but thankfully it seemed to be the only hiccup in a night otherwise filled with winners.
Outside of his Country scented set, the glory of the night was awarded to the Hootie highlights. An early performance of Hootie and the Blowfish ballad Let Her Cry won the crowds hearts while fellow mega-hits from the bands vaults – Hold My Hand and Only Wanna Be With You – had the band bouncing around the stage while fans held phones in the air to record the energetic and quick delivered vocals of the latter.
While Rucker might have mastered the Country genre some time back, I would have called last night a country concert. While dipped in the genre, the style of Rucker’s work of late sways more toward Blowfish than banjo with his unmistakable voice that will forever be associated to his 90’s rock work. Overall the show was a fantastic return for the star who’s shine on UK fan’s hearts is far from fading.
DARIUS RUCKER BIOGRAPHY
Rucker first attained multi-platinum status in the music industry as former lead singer and rhythm guitarist of GRAMMY award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish. Since re-introducing himself to the world as a country artist, he has released four consecutive albums to top the Billboard Country albums chart and earned a whole new legion of fans. In 2014, Rucker won his third career GRAMMY award for Best Solo Country Performance for his triple platinum selling cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” off his album, True Believers. Rucker’s first two country albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966 produced five No. 1 singles including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Southern Style, his fourth studio country album, features his seventh No. 1 single “Homegrown Honey,” co-written by Rucker, label mate Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Nathan Chapman. Rucker’s heartfelt new single, “If I Told You," became Rucker's eigthth No.1 on country radio. TWILIGHT CENTURY MEDIA | Manalishi Films [Home Media ROIO release ]
Set 1Fifteen Fifty-Three
May Ninth
Ada Jean
Farolim de Felgueiras
Pon Pon
Todavia Viva
Juegos y Nubes
Hold Me Up (Thank You)
Caja de la Sala
Three From Two
A Love International
Les Petits Gris
Thunderstorm Interlude
Zionsville
August Twelve
Mr. White
Two Fish and an Elephant
Dern Kala
Evan Finds The Third Room
Maria Tambien
White Gloves
Time (You and I)
People Everywhere (Still Alive)
May Ninth
Ada Jean
Farolim de Felgueiras
Pon Pon
Todavia Viva
Juegos y Nubes
Hold Me Up (Thank You)
Caja de la Sala
Three From Two
A Love International
Les Petits Gris
Thunderstorm Interlude
Zionsville
August Twelve
Mr. White
Two Fish and an Elephant
Dern Kala
Evan Finds The Third Room
Maria Tambien
White Gloves
Time (You and I)
People Everywhere (Still Alive)
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1A.I.R.
Got the Time (Joe Jackson cover)
Caught in a Mosh
Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't
Madhouse
Be All, End All
Metal Thrashing Mad
I Am the Law
The Devil You Know
Antisocial (Trust cover)
Indians
Gung-Ho
Got the Time (Joe Jackson cover)
Caught in a Mosh
Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't
Madhouse
Be All, End All
Metal Thrashing Mad
I Am the Law
The Devil You Know
Antisocial (Trust cover)
Indians
Gung-Ho
Set 2
Set 3
Set 1To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be HIgh)
My Winding Wheel
Amy
Shakedown On 9th Street
Oh My Sweet Carolina
Don't Ask For The Water
In My Time Of Need
Call Me On Your Way Back Home
Bartering Lines
Damn Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains)
Sweet Lil' Gal (23rd-1st)
To Be The One
Why Do They Leave
Shame, Shame, Shame
Gimme Something Good
New York, New York
Two
Dear Chicago
Desire
Everybody Knows
I'm Waiting for the Man (The Velvet Underground cover)
Not Dark Yet (Bob Dylan cover)
Answering Bell
When The Stars Go Blue
Come Pick Me Up
My Winding Wheel
Amy
Shakedown On 9th Street
Oh My Sweet Carolina
Don't Ask For The Water
In My Time Of Need
Call Me On Your Way Back Home
Bartering Lines
Damn Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains)
Sweet Lil' Gal (23rd-1st)
To Be The One
Why Do They Leave
Shame, Shame, Shame
Gimme Something Good
New York, New York
Two
Dear Chicago
Desire
Everybody Knows
I'm Waiting for the Man (The Velvet Underground cover)
Not Dark Yet (Bob Dylan cover)
Answering Bell
When The Stars Go Blue
Come Pick Me Up
Set 2
Set 3
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