Review: The Commoners – Live In The UK
Gypsy Soul Records (May 16th, 2025)
Reviewer – Chris O’Connor
Hailing out of Toronto, in case you are unaware, The Commoners are: Chris Medhurst (lead vocals/guitar), Ross Hays Citrullo (guitar), Miles Evans-Branagh (keyboards), Ben Spiller (bass guitar), and Adam Cannon (drums)
If you imagine a heady fusion the soul of The Faces, the groove of Free, and the strut of Led Zeppelin, then add to that the hip shakin’ sass of The Black Crowes, the gritty edge of The Delta Rebels, and the ballsy power of Blackberry Smoke … then you’re getting pretty close to the whole Commoners experience.
With two storming studio albums to their name, and their career rightfully skyrocketing, it’s now the perfect time for the band to have got their live ‘experience’ out there for everyone to revel in.
This nine song ‘live’ album is absolutely rammed with the band’s finest cuts, and is a simply riotous and joyous sensory overload, and I cannot stop smiling listening to it. This album just sails past in a whirl of big riffs, huge choruses, killer songs, and gleeful abandon, it is just in every respect – perfect.
Recorded here in the band’s second home of the UK, you get to experience band and audience in perfect synchronicity. From the second the album kicks off with the rambunctious ‘Shake You Off’, it’s simply a glorious nonstop party.
The quintet makes music that (in my opinion) just makes you feel good, there is nothing forced or artificial about their music, it’s completely organic, and has all the qualities that should allow the band to become huge – and deservedly so.
‘The Way I Am’ has a verse that is almost bump ‘n’ grind, and an uplifting chorus that demands you sing along loudly. ‘Who Are You?’ has a killer riff, and a wonderful driving groove, while ‘Gone Without Warning’ rips along at a breakneck pace, before hitting a slower but groovy chorus.
‘Restless’ meanders along gently, it’s a thoughtful and utterly delightful mood piece. ‘See You Again’ stays with the cool and relaxed pace, it’s the band at their reflective best. It’s during these calmer moments you hear what a truly glorious voice Chris has, he’s truly a soulful powerhouse.
‘Devil Teasin’ Me’ picks up the pace again, the band firing on all five cylinders, locking into an effortless groove, tearing up a wonderful riff and a wonderful chorus. ‘Fill My Cup’ moves ‘n’ grooves with sinuous ease, while finally ‘Find A Better Way’ is the ultimate shout out loud celebratio and is the perfect way to end this rip-roarin’ party.
‘Live In The UK’ really is an absolute gem of an album and should be a compulsory purchase for any self-respecting fan of Southern Rock ‘n’ roots music. The band will be back here in October, so I will 100% be seeing them at some point on the tour. In the meantime, I will be basking in this fabulous ‘live’ album, and very simply – so should you!
Tracklist:
- Shake You Off
- The Way I Am
- Who Are You?
- Gone Without Warning
- Restless
- See You Again
- Devil Teasin’ Me
- Fill My Cup
- Find A Better Way
Spring 2025 European/UK Tour Dates:
Tickets available from – thecommoners.ca
May 14th: DE – Support for DeWolff – Stuttgart, Im Wizemann
May 15th: DE – Support for DeWolff – Frankfurt, Das Bett
May 16th: DE – Support for DeWolff – Cologne, Kantine
May 17th: DE – Support for DeWolff – Münster, Sputnikhalle
May 18th: DE – Support for DeWolff – Hamburg, Übel & Gefährlich
May 20th: FR – Chambéry – Brin De Zinc
May 23rd: FR – Beaumont En Véron – Le Temps Des Crises
May 24th: FR – Bully Les Mines – Music Festival
May 25th: NL – Bathmen, Skinny Lizard Festival
May 27th: UK – London, Secret Acoustic Show
May 28th: UK – Faversham, UK – The Old Brewery Store
May 29th: UK – Southampton, The Joiners
May 30th: UK – Lincolnshire, Call of the Wild Festival
May 31st: UK – Chester, Live Rooms
June 1st: UK – Newcastle, The Cluny
June 3rd: NL – Barlo, De Loods
June 5th: SWE – Sölvesborg, Sweden Rock Festival
June 21st: UK – Bournemouth, Love Rocks Festival
June 22nd UK – Hertfordshire – Sign Of The Times Festival
Line-up:
Chris Medhurst (lead vocals, guitar)
Ross Hays Citrullo (guitar)
Ben Spiller (bass guitar)
Adam Cannon (drums)
Miles Evans-Branagh (keyboards)
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