BIG RIVER + GALLOWS CIRCUS + LAND CAPTAINS The Penny Theatre - Canterbury Friday 30th May 2025

I’ve never heard of Land Captains prior to this evening and am initially a little dubious given that I sometimes struggle with a female lead vocal. I’m converted almost immediately, singer Tzarina Red winning me over with her powerful, melodic delivery, punctuated with the odd guttural scream. A band who recognise the importance of putting on a show, it’s a high-energy performance, Hugo Bowman right up front from the start, brandishing his guitar like he’s playing to thousands. The Bristol based quartet have a sound that’s difficult to put in any one box; occasional proggy turns are met with seething punk energy and punishing breakdowns - the kind of riffs that make you snarl in appreciation. The rhythm section is formidable, Tiggy bringing the bludgeoning thump of 5-string bass, while drummer Dru Franks thunders away at the back. But there are lovely harmonies to be found amid the aggression, Hugo and Tzarina reminding me how pleasing it is to hear a man and a woman singing together - an under-utilised sound in the rock world. The set concludes with ‘Banana Phone’, an inflatable banana initially used to bash a riff from the guitar before being tossed into the sparse but appreciative audience. 

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Gallows Circus, always a popular band locally but temporarily stalled whilst assembling a new line-up around original frontman and founder Ian Day. The line-up has been established for nearly a year now, and I’m pleased to report that the band has lost none of its fire or ability to deliver a nasty riff. It’s refreshing to hear three new songs in the set, and an encouraging glimpse of what to expect from the long-awaited debut album (apparently very much on the way). Of course, the songs from the first couple of EPs are now so familiar that hearing them is a guaranteed good time, ‘Game On’ rightfully gets things underway, whilst ‘Hell’s Whiskey’ provides the big finish. Gallows Circus have seemingly mastered the art of heavy music that you can move to, proved tonight by the audience throwing some impressive freestyle shapes to the groovy ‘Medicine Man’ and ‘Bring Your Crucifix’. A well chosen cover of Free’s ‘Wishing Well’ shows Day’s vocals off nicely and gets the crowd singing, but the band’s own ‘Holding My Breath’ is received with just as much joy. 

What’s not to like about Big River? Proudly wearing the influences of Free and Bad Company (“the pinnacle of all that is good”, as singer Adam Barron puts it), their heavy blues is utterly irresistible. And there’s a reason that Barron appeared on TV show ‘The Voice’, he’s got a really good one, elevating the likes of ‘Hometown Hustler’ and ‘Devil’s Whiskey’ with a power that feels effortless. Joking about the validity of a ukulele as a rock and roll instrument, the distinctive sound provides the hook for ‘Don’t Hold Out’, a song with a lovely Faces feel, with lyrics about being good to the people around you. An unexpected cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ loses none of its funk, testament to the band’s ability to groove with the best of them. ‘Wings’ is an elegant end to the evening, guitarist Damo Fawsett’s tasteful solo lifting the song before it drops back for another heartfelt chorus; an earworm that lingers a long time after the music is over. Having overcome health issues that forced the band to cancel their appearance at Maid of Stone Festival last year, it’s great to see Barron and the rest of the group flourishing - don’t miss Big River at the festival this year.

With small venues struggling, it's more important than ever to support events like this. I understand the allure of the big bands and stadium shows, but some of the best nights happen in little places like the Penny Theatre. You can't get much for £10 these days, but it seems like you can still get some superb live music.