On this very cold night in KK’s Wolverhampton, we have the return of talented duo Smith and Kotzen who both have pedigree as long as a Crufts winner. The pair, who came together by chance, began writing and eventually released their self-titled debut album. Now, with the release of their follow up, ‘Black Light/White Noise’, resulting in this worldwide tour. Yes, worldwide, all over Europe finishing in South America, which shows their appeal.

With a modern slant on 70s rock and blues, with twin fantastic guitar playing and two world class vocalists, they warmed the big KK’s crowd up with a top-class performance. With a set made up of a big chunk of ‘Black Light/White Noise’ as you would expect, mixed with first album and EP releases. The new stuff mixed in easily, with cracking hard rock/blues-tinged sound and surprisingly catchy numbers, and some – as you would expect – blistering guitar solos. The crowd absolutely loved this.

Smith and Kotzen will not trouble singles charts, but when they can deliver quality tunes the way they do, who cares? Well obviously, a lot of people around the world do, and I can say that tonight in KK’s everyone one would agree, true class.

Photo by Geoff Griffe
Review by Jenny Griffe