Review: A Thousand Horses – Support These Wicked Rivers

Islington Assembly Hall, (August 1^st, 2025)

Reviewer / Photographer – Phil Honley

Southern rockers A Thousand Horses are back in the UK for the first time since 2019 just before that thing called Covid turned the world on its head. The band, has had a strong following in the UK since the bands debut tour in 2016. They are touring this time around in support of their latest album, ‘The Outside‘. The band blends rock, soul, blues, and country and it is difficult to define them under any one genre although Southern Rock works for me.

Listening to the deluxe version of the latest release ‘The Outside‘ on my way to the gig certainly got me excited about the forthcoming show.

These Wicked Rivers were a very welcome support act and ‘Shine On‘ opened their set and immediately grabbed everyone’s attention. I got the impression that the majority had arrived early to catch These Wicked Rivers. 

All of the favourites were included in the set, ‘Black Gold‘, ‘Testify‘ with some tasty harp from keyboard player Rich Wilson. A cracking, albeit short, set that packed a real punch was brought to an end with Arran Day picking up his twin neck and rocking out with ‘A Prayer For Me‘.

There were calls for “one more song” at the close which speaks volumes.

Setlist:

1. Shine On
2. Black Gold
3. Evergreen
4. When The War Is Won
5. Testify
6. Horse To Water
7. Don’t Pray For Me.

A Thousand Horses, officially a three piece now, Zach Brown having left the band in 2023, with the wonderful voice of Michael Hobby, Graham DeLoach on bass and Bill Satcher, who has been playing with Hobby forever, on lead guitar. The touring band includes two additional members and I must apologise for not taking note of their names when introduced.

An added bonus with Kezia Gill joining them for one song.

Michael Hobby did apologise saying it had been too long since they were here last but promised that this would never happen again.

Last number of main set was the ever popular ‘Smoke‘ which segued into a belting version of Oasis’ ‘Champaign Supernova‘. 

Setlist:

1. First Time
2. The Outside
3. Blaze Of Somethin’
4. Another Mile
5. A Song To Remember
6. Trailer Trashed
7. Drunk Dial
8. Heaven Is Close
9. Travellin’ Man
10. Broken Heartland
11. Summer
12. Smoke / Champagne Supernova

Encore

1. Highway Sound
2. Room Full Of Strangers

©All photographs are copyright of Phil Honley – Gigsnapz. They may not be altered or used without express permission.