Wednesday night’s gig at The Louisiana was an absolute scorcher, kicked off by one of my favourite local acts—The Keepsakes. This Chicago blues-inspired band had the crowd nodding and whooping along from the first note. Frontman Jesse Pesto oozes charisma, combining slick guitar work with a vocal range that glides from smooth croons to full-throttle rock ’n’ roll yells. A particular standout of the set was Humming Bird, a heavy, groove-laden track that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Humble Pie record. I’m desperately hoping they get it up on streaming soon!
It’s worth noting that the last time Zac Schulze played Bristol—as a support act—The Keepsakes were in the crowd watching. So, to see them now sharing the same bill felt like a real full-circle moment. They were the perfect choice to warm up the room, and I really hope this gig marks the start of even bigger things for them.
Then came the main event—The Zac Schulze Gang—closing out their April tour to a rammed Louisiana crowd. And I mean rammed. I barely squeezed through the sea of people to get a decent angle for photos.
Their set was a bluesy rollercoaster, seamlessly blending fiery originals with high-octane covers from the likes of Rory Gallagher, Dr. Feelgood, and The Cinelli Brothers, along with a killer rendition of Jerry Reed’s Framed. One of the night’s most unexpected highlights came mid-song when they launched into a medley of riffs—Rush, The Beatles, Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses—before snapping right back to Framed as bassist Ant shouted out, “Add a copyright infringement to my list of charges.”
One particularly inspired moment came with their fusion of Rory Gallagher’s Messin’ With the Kid and Peter Green’s Oh Well. I wouldn’t have thought to mash those two together, but when the tempo flipped into Oh Well, it hit like a freight train—I couldn’t help but stomp my feet.
Zac Schulze himself was a powerhouse—tearing through blistering solos, flinging his guitar around like it was weightless, and generally bouncing off the walls with sheer adrenaline. His on-stage charm and cheeky South East banter gave major Steve Marriott vibes, bringing the perfect mix of vintage blues spirit and youthful energy.
Their original track Rocker, from their upcoming debut album, was a definite crowd-pleaser and proof that they’re not just masters of the classics—they’re also shaping the future of British blues.
The night ended on a high with a barnstorming cover of Freddie King’s Going Down, joined by Jesse Pesto for a fiery send-off. If this gig is anything to go by, the future of British blues is in very good hands.
Bio: Professional photographer since 2016, specialising in nightlife and live music photography. I’m passionate about supporting grassroots music venues, with notable experience at venues like Thekla, where I’ve had the privilege of capturing both bands and club nights for over 6 years.
Available for: Gigs & Headshots
First Gig Shot: All Saints at the O2 Academy Brixton, 2016
Dream Gig: Paul McCartney, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones
www.davidjeffery-hughesphotography.uk
Instagram: @david_jh_photography
