Review: Luke Morley –  Support: Hillbilly Vegas

Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (January 29^th, 2024)

Reviewer / Photographer: Dan Mann

Monday night was a chance to blow off some cobwebs and blow away those Winter blues with some top notch live music, always a good prescription!

It’s always good to see the support act get a decent crowd, never understand the mentality of only turning up for the main act, you could be missing your next new ‘discovery’!

Support came from the most excellent Hillbilly Vegas, a band who are obviously embracing their time here in Blighty. Frontman Steve Harris chatted between each song, making for a more intimate performance, as he said “you’re friends, not fans“. I was kind of familiar with the songs from the band’s 2022 album ‘The Great Southern Hussle‘ having received the promo before its release. Live the songs took on another life, some songs just need to be played live, it’s that added emotion and audience response that boosts them.

If you get a chance, do check them out. Hillbilly Vegas are, as the kids say “right on trend“, delivering a genuine slice of southern rock & Americana.

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Setlist:

Mason Jars & Moonlight

Steady at the Wheel (Shooter Jennings cover)

High Time for a Good Time

Something Crazy

Long Way Back

Down the Honky Tonk (Frankie Miller cover)

Let It Ride

Shake It Like a Hillbilly

If you don’t know who Luke Morley is then I guess you’ve been hiding under a rock for quite a few years! Okay I’ll remind you if I must, he is of course guitarist for British favourites Thunder, and recently released the excellent solo album ‘Songs From the Blue Room‘ (review here), which is of course why this tour is taking place. As one of our reviewers, Chris O’Connor said about the album ” an absolute masterpiece, a shining gem in the world of music that showcases the extraordinary talent of Thunder’s lead guitarist and chief songwriter“.

And so to the evening’s performance. With fellow Thunder member Chris Childs on bass duties and Dean Howard (Cats In Space, T’Pau) joining him on guitar, it was old mates together for songs and plenty of chat.

The crowd lapped up the at times emotional performance, this was exactly what they wanted, great songs, top notch musicians, and all delivered with precision and feeling. It was wonderful to hear the songs played live.

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Setlist:

Intro

I Wanna See the Light

Damage

Killed by Cobain

This World

Errol Flynn

Quiet Life

The First Day

I’m the One You Want

Nobody Cares

Lying to Myself

Watch the Sun Go Down

Encore:

A Better Man (Thunder song)

Go With the Flow

Lola (The Kinks cover)

© All photographs are copyright of Dan Mann/RPR Photography. They may not be altered or used without express permission.