By David O’Neill
The Globe in Cardiff last week hosted a riveting night of blues-rock energy, as first Troy Redfern and then Kris Barras with his new Hollow Souls project delivered memorable performances that left the audience electrified. The setlists, which drew from their recent tours, showcased their mastery of blending raw guitar riffs with soulful melodies, creating a dynamic and engaging live experience.
Troy Redfern opened the evening with his signature slide guitar blues-infused rock, delivering a set that included fan favourites like ‘Shakin’ and ‘Taking My Soul.’ His guitar work was blistering, punctuated by soulful solos and a commanding stage presence that held the crowd in the palm of his hand, enthusiastically supported on snare/tom and cymbal combination by the larger than life Alex Bridge providing the rhythm section.
The setlist for his performance incorporated tracks from his limited edition CD, ‘Retribution’. Also included were his version of ‘John The Revelator’, as well as ‘Waiting For Your Love’ and ‘Sanctify’ from the ‘The Fire Cosmic’ album. Each track offered a potent mix of energetic pieces and introspective blues ballads, emphasizing his reputation as one of the ÜK’s premier blues-rock guitarists.
Following Troy, Kris Barras and Hollow Souls took to the stage with an explosion of energy. Their setlist, which included highlights such as ‘Burn It To The Ground’, ‘Hail Mary’ and electrifying covers of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock n Roll’ and the Ray Charles track ‘I Don’t Need No Doctor’, soon warmed the crowd up.
The band’s chemistry was palpable, they navigated through their set with tight musicianship and the vocals of former KBB backing vocalist Phoebe Jane perfectly conveyed the versatility and range in songs like ‘Stormy Monday’ that could potentially only be conveyed by someone with her vocal range. Added to this the alternative version of one of my favourite KBB tracks, ‘Propane’, added to the goosebump moments in the gig.
Whilst Kris and Josiah’s vision for the band was conveyed as a collaboration with other musicians and Kris taking a back seat on vocals in the recordings, this becomes a bit more complex on tour. However, he coped admirably where he was required to act as vocal ‘stand in’. The song choices paint a picture of a band at the top of their game, seamlessly blending original hits with emotive covers that kept the audience engaged from start to finish.
The night was a true showcase of ÜK blues rock, with both acts delivering fierce performances that paid homage to their influences while carving out their own signature sound. The crowd responded enthusiastically, singing along to the familiar riffs and cheering between songs. The energy in The Globe was palpable, making it clear that this was a special night of music for fans of the genre. This entity for Kris, Josiah and Phoebe is going to provide a serious outlet for their blues creativity whilst still permitting the KBB to continue down their heavier musical journey.
Overall, the gig was a powerful reminder of the thriving blues-rock scene in the ÜK. With setlists curated from recent performances, both Troy Redfern and Kris Barras/Hollow Souls demonstrated why they are currently some of the most exciting acts in the scene. An unforgettable night that will undoubtedly resonate with fans for months to come.
The tour continues throughout October and November and I seriously suggest you support this incredible new venture on the smaller stages, as based on this gig it is not going to be long before they are gracing much larger ones.
- All photos © Bandtogs/Über Röck.
