The Louisiana, 18th February 2020
Like a evangelical preacher just beat the blues out of us with a harmonica and a set of maracas.
Authenticity is hard to find in the music industry these days, but Daddy Long Legs are dripping with it.
We had a feeling we were in for a foot stomping, beer spilling, night from the initial meeting with Brian, Murat and Josh and they lived up to every expectation.
However it was Red Hot Riot, a young Neo-Rockabilly band from the Forest of Dean that got the party started.
Coming out of the blocks like a 1953 Chevy, the trio immediately set the tempo for the night.
Looking the part, sounding the part and performing a strong set that really put the sold out crowd in the mood to party.
RHR were not your traditional support band, they had strong support of their own. From a crowd with heavy appreciation for Rockabilly and Blues culture.
Ricky (Vocals/Guitar), Scotty (Double Bass) and Daniel West (Drums) smashed a set packed with new and older material. And it was no surprise to learn the trio have recently signed a record deal. And its great to see such appreciation of culture and style from the young men who are greatly growing their reputation in the UK’s burgeoning Rockabilly scene.
The packed crowd were suitably warmed up when Brooklyn, NYC’s finest purveyors of blues took to the stage.
Oozing coolness and a authenticity only gained from living and breathing your music. Brian Hurd AKA Daddy Long Legs, Josh Styles and Murat Akturk swaggered onto stage and straight into fifth gear.
The energy this band exude can get any room jumping, hollering and stomping, but a sold out Louisiana that contained a crowd who knew exactly what was in store was a recipe for a dynamite evening.
Playing pretty much the full track list from latest album “Lowdown Ways”, as well as much loved classics from the first two studio albums the threesome had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hand.
Anyone walking into the downstairs of the Louisiana on Tuesday night must have thought that a exorcism was being performed upstairs. As the floor shook from stomping, the harmonica blasted and Brian worked the crowd like a evangelical pastor conducting his parishioners.
Josh Styles is a pure, cut from the old skool cloth, rock and roll star. As cool off stage as he is on. Those shades stay on regardless of lighting, regardless of how hard he beats those sticks or shakes those maracas.
And Murat is as accomplished a blues guitarist as we have ever seen. It is such a pleasure to watch someone so honed in their chosen craft. Throw into that that he is such a lovely , down to earth human being as well.
This band spend more time out on the road, than they do at home. And it shows in one of the tightest live shows we have seen in the past twelve months.
Daddy Long Legs tick every box you needing ticking for a high octane, blues done right, party night.
And there was no way the Bristol crowd were done when the last note sounded from Brian’s harmonica. As loud cries of “One More song” rang out and a deafening floor stomp began. They teased and teased before re-emerging to one of the most raucous crowds we have seen at The Louie in a long time.
Sending everyone home happy with another duo of hard edged rhythm and blues tunes for the encore.
Daddy Long Legs thoroughly deserve our very rare PLATINUM GIG AWARD
