His playing is a captivating mix of precision and raw emotion. Notes bend and linger, sustaining just long enough to draw the audience into the feeling behind them before giving way to bursts of blistering fretwork that melts your face. He knows when to let a phrase breathe and when to unleash a torrent of sound. His years of touring have made him a consummate performer with the ability to have the audience hanging on his every move.
What makes Kingfish particularly compelling is the balance between his extraordinary ability and his connection to the audience. Disappearing off stage at one point only to reappear with a wireless guitar and walking into the crowd. He performed nearly an entire song standing in the centre aisle with fans flanking him on all sides, wailing and cheering him on. It was a spectacular sight and the crowd ate it up, showering him with applause.
The blues is certainly not as popular a music form as it has been in the past but artists like Kingfish let everyone know of the power the blues can command. Joy and pain dancing together with passion and vigour. The struggles and the pleasures of life in harmony, reminding us that you can’t have beautiful flowers without a little rain.
Still touring in support of his latest album, Hard Road, the setlist was a nice mix of new tracks an old. Voodoo Charm and the single Bad Like Me were well received. Dipping back into his discography to play tunes like Fresh Out and 662. One of the absolute highlights was when Bywater Call vocalist Meghan Parnell and guitarist Dave Barnes joined Kingfish for a fiery romp through Freddie King’s classic Going Down!
Opening acts from Toronto got the locals grooving. Bywater Call blended southern rock with folksy charm while The Free Label brought the funk and fire. The Free Label also won the prize for Best Dressed. Every member had an incredible pair of pants on. Funk meets fashion!
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Be sure to check out Live Nation Ontario to see all of the other great acts that they will be bringing to Toronto this year.
