Southern California’s Robert Jon & The Wreck bring their own brand of roots rock to Manchester’s Academy 

Live Review

Robert Jon & the Wreck. Photo by Terry Marland.

By Terry Marland, Rock At Night Manchester

Review: Robert Jon and the Wreck w/Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast -Manchester Academy 2  -Friday, 15th September 2023 

Caitlin Krisko &The Broadcast 

Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast. Photo by Terry Marland.

Caitlin Krisko &The Broadcast are making a strong impression on this tour and tonight they engage the early arrivers with a rich blend of blues rock and soul performed with power  and precision . Caitlin Krisco’s compelling vocals and absorbing stage presence have the audience engaged from the off. Backed by a talented band she dispatched note perfect renditions of their recorded material including Operator, Battle Cry and a moody rendition of “Haunted ByYou”.  

 In a set that was start to finish quality its perhaps unfair to highlight a particular track but their cover of Led Zepplin’s “Rock N’Roll” was truly captivating and had the audience enthralled. If you are going to a show on this tour get there early. 

Set List

 Half Asleep

Blue Heron  

Haunted By You 

Devil On Your Side 

Don’t Waste It 

Operator 

Rock N Roll 

Battle Cry  

 

Robert Jon & the Wreck 

Robert Jon & the Wreck. Photo by Terry Marland.

 This is the fourth UK tour Robert Jon & the Wreck have undertaken in the little over two years. During that time they have travelled extensively  building up a reputation for a barnstorming performances with a southern edge.  In July this year they headlined the Phoenix Stage at the  Maid Of Stone Festival ( previously known as the Ramblin’ Man Fair) to towering reviews.  Tonight sees them playing Manchester Academy 2. 

 The band’s Ride Into The Light album was released earlier this month and  the opening track the hard rocking “Pain No More“ starts things off  in fine style and has the audience  bouncing from the off . The other tracks from the new album featured are “Don’t Look Down” and “Ride into the Light”. The rest of the set is made up of their rich back catalogue of predominantly self-penned classics. An extended “Do You Remember” features spiralling dual guitars  from Robert Jon and the excellent as ever Henry Schneekluth who delivers one of many sublime solos here. 

Robert Jon & the Wreck. Photo by Terry Marland.

The band that also includes  the ever smiling Warren Murrell with classy bass lines and Andrew Espantman who shines throughout on drums, along with keyboard wizard Jake Abernathie have built their growing reputation on the endless touring that has seen them cultivate their own trademark sound and reach out to an ever growing fanbase.  

 Two drinking songs ,the rousing “Blame it on the Whiskey” and the melancholic “Tired of Drinking Alone” are paired in an affecting sequence that showcasing the distinctly honeyed vocals of Robert Jon Burrison.  

Robert Jon & the Wreck. Photo by Terry Marland.

Set favourite “Oh Miss Carolina” sees Robert John leading the crowd in a communal singalong many with camera-phone in hand to capture the moment. 

 The main set closes with an extended version of “Cold Night” that morphs into full jam and sees all band members demonstrating their individual skills. The guitar / keyboard interchange between Henry James  and  Jake Abernathie was a special moment.  They return for an encore of “Shine a Light On Me Brother” that rounds of  another memorable performance.     

  The tour continues. See full dates here https://robertjonandthewreck.com/  

 Set List  

 

Pain No More 

Do You Remember   

Blame It On Whiskey   

Tired Of Drinking Alone   

Ride into the light   

Don’t Look Down    

When I Die    

Don’t Let Me Go   

Glory Bound 

Oh Miss Carolina    

Cold Night   

—— 

Shine A Light On Me Brother 

PHOTO GALLERY

Just a snippet 🙂

 

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Terry Marland