Review – Chuck Ragan, Exchange, Bristol, February 2nd 2024

Chuck Ragan - Exchange, Bristol - 2nd February 2024 — Chuck Ragan performing at Exchange, Bristol

Two years after rocking the Thekla, Chuck Ragan returned to Bristol to play to a packed out Exchange. Despite the venue upgrade, tonight’s affair was a more stripped back set with just Chuck with ex-Lucero and long-time touring partner Todd Beene on pedal steel guitar. Despite

A large section of the audience is more familiar with Chuck’s punk band Hot Water Music (who are also due to play at SWX in March) than his solo output. He acknowledges this during the show and treats us to some stripped back versions of those tracks, with a particular highlight being “Drag My Body”.

Outside of Hot Water Music though, Chuck has had a prolific solo career releasing his first solo album “Feast or Famine” in 2007 from which we get to witness one of the stand out tracks, “California Burritos” towards the end of the set. If you’re unfamiliar with Chuck’s music, the track is an almost perfect encapsulation of what makes Chuck’s songwriting so powerful, blending together elements of folk, punk and Americana on a heartfelt anthem about embracing every moment, with Chuck’s raspy vocals providing a sense of authenticity to the lyrics, conveying a sense of a life well-travelled.

I can’t think of many other folk-punk artists that have provided soundtracks to indie survival simulator games but Chuck has, tonight we get to hear the title track of the soundtrack and game “The Flame in The Flood”.

Throughout the rest of the set powers through his back catalogue, covering all of his solo albums without a single lull throughout. He had the crowd in the palm of his hands, mass singalongs erupt for “Something May Catch Fire” from his last album, 2014’s “Till Midnight” and set closer “Meet You in The Middle” and his magnetic stage presence capitavtes the audience throughout.

Chuck’s music provides something for everyone to relate to, his songs explore life’s struggles and journeys with his gravelly vocals lace the songs in authenticity and intimacy. Tonight’s performance created a powerful connection with the audience, providing an electrifying set that showcased his raw talent and genuine passion.