Live Review: Gary Clark Jr, Hamish Anderson

Homegrown blues legend Hamish Anderson launched into his set with a sharp rat-tat beat, and everyone leant forward with interest. He opened with Burn, a tight track from his 2014 Restless EP. He and his trio then played Little Lies, which was arresting performed live. Trouble, Anderson’s slick, more recognisable riff-based track, was a highlight. 

Anderson asked, "Everybody like blues?" which presumably they did, otherwise they would have left the evening bitterly disappointed. Following up with Working Blues, he finished his impressive set with Breaking Down, a track from the new album. Anderson blew everyone away and made sure the crowd knew his album was dropping (3 May – get around it). 

With a simple and classic set-up of spotlights behind them, Gary Clark Jr and his band came on stage, their frames silhouetted. Then the lights turned up and they opened with Bright Lights. Without wasting time Clark launched into a face-melting solo. He played as if the guitar was playing him – a force he couldn’t control, his mouth open wide.

They then played Ain’t Messin ‘Round. Johnny Radelat was given the spotlight with a drum solo. Clark is a generous performer, and gives regular opportunities for the entire band to shine. Three times through his show he appreciatively lauded the talents of Hamish Anderson. He truly lives his lyrics, rightfully singing, "I don’t believe in competition/Ain’t nobody else like me around."

The king of cool then sung What About Us, revealing his killer falsetto. From his 2019 album, this track is certain to become a long-time fan favourite. It is impossible not to react with your entire body to the persuasive groove.

He played a mix of new and older songs, including Low Down Rolling Stone, When I’m Gone and Feed The Babies. As you listen and watch with awe, you become conscious that you are in the presence of something special – a master. When Clark performs he almost looks possessed by the guitar, but we assume he is, because how could any human play like that?

Clark went off stage and the tempo changed, with the band creating and manipulating a complex and full soundscape. The lights changed to a Jamaican green and yellow and the band played the darkly reggae Feelin’ Like A Million. They then played Got To Get Up, which had the whole band singing. Clark delivered a wailing guitar solo, his whole body shaking and convulsing. When he finished he said, "Forgot to breathe. Almost passed out in that one."

Clark’s vocals in I Got My Eyes On You (Locked & Loaded) are second only to his guitar prowess. He sings with guttural anguish, his rousing vocals filling the space – you feel yourself yearning as he does. Clark stopped playing during If Trouble Was Money and put his hands by his sides, signalling for the band to follow suit. The drum and bass softened but continued, and returned to his guitar for an enduring solo, taking everyone along for the breathtaking journey. His hands danced expertly up and down the fret board – at one point it even seemed as though the guitar was laughing.

After winding up When My Train Pulls In, Clark needlessly asked, "Are you still with us?" while the crowd stood, faint with rapture. Handing over control to keyboard player Jon Deas, Gary Clark Jr walked off stage to rehydrate and Deas performed an ambient and layered piece, leaving us feeling like we were in an underwater church. 

Returning to stage for the encore, they performed The Guitar Man. Turning it down a notch they followed with the subdued My Baby’s Gone, the lights silhouetting them as they did at the start of the set. The traditional blues was pure and uncomplicated, and then Clark masterfully and seamlessly morphed his riff into Don’t Owe You A Thang. They wound up and up into a tight frenzy, then Clark once again heralded Anderson’s talent, this time bringing him back with to perform an unbelievable solo and close out the show. Clark ensured those who didn’t arrive early would still leave knowing about Hamish Anderson.

Despite not speaking to the crowd a lot, other than a few indistinct mumblings (“You good or what?”), Gary Clark Jr showed himself to be a gentleman performer, and a musician who has no living equal.