As long-time fans of Jay Buchanan’s day job band, Rival Sons, we couldn’t miss this very rare opportunity to see one of the finest rock singers and frontmen out there, up close and personal, at the great venue that is the Birmingham Glee Club. And boy, are we happy we didn’t pass up the opportunity.

Jay has a bit of a reputation for changing clothing and hairstyles. He comes on looking like a stylish Midwestern farmer, with baggy turned-up jeans and a floppy hat. When the hat comes off, it’s short hair again.

This very small, intimate tour is supporting his new solo album, ‘Weapons Of Beauty’, a very personal album, recorded, believe it or not, in a bunker in the desert! He tells the audience that he needed space and time away from his family to get out what he wanted to say. During the performance, he regaled us with stories about his home life, family and band life in between songs.

Let’s face it, the songs probably won’t worry the charts, but that’s not the point. He is an artist with something to say, and plenty of people will want to listen, as we do. The result of his endeavours is a very hypnotic performance, and the stories add to the ambience of the night.

What was an eye-opener wasn’t his voice. Anyone who has heard or seen Rival Sons live knows what an unbelievable voice he has. However, playing in the size of venues the Sons perform in, they obviously rock out loud, so there isn’t much chance to show his full vocal tone, range and control. Mesmerising!

Another big surprise – and his voice is not the surprise, as I’ve already said – is how funny and engaging he is. I absolutely loved getting to know his new songs and the man himself more. The only Rival Sons song he did perform was what is probably going to be their song, ‘Shooting Stars’.

This was a very special night, and we can only hope that more music fans get to experience this sort of event in the future.

Photos by Geoff Griffe
Review by Jennifer Griffe