We first came across The Red Clay Strays at the excellent Long Road Festival two years ago and have waited for them to tour the UK ever since. Well, the waiting is over we get to see this cracking country/rock’n’roll /Gospel band again. Although the singer tells the long sold-out crowd, that they are more a rock’n’roll band. Whatever you want to call them, this band from Mobile, Alabama is brilliant, with lead vocalist, Brandon Coleman they have a frontman you have to watch, with a look of Elvis, a quiff and moves with hints of Johnny Cash. He has a superb voice full of emotion and sincerity, especially the more religious tunes, as they are very religious, but as explained by Coleman, we don’t mind what or not you believe in, just enjoy yourselves, and we did.

The Red Clay Strays are not just a vehicle for Coleman, although obviously he commands most of the focus. The band are red hot, especially the guitarist, Drew Nix who is one hell of a player, they have come a long way since getting noticed on Tik Tok to playing here tonight to a full house. But they now play to bigger crowds back in the USA and with tunes that jump genres with such diversity there is something for everyone, and they had everyone here begging for more. No point in trying to name a highlight, it all was. Believe me The Red Clay Strays are great on record/CD, but live, they have to be one of the best up and coming acts around at the moment and if you want to dip a toe into Red Clay Strays, buy/download ‘Live At The Ryman’, you won’t regret it.

Photos by Geoff Griffe (From The Long Road Festival)
Review by Jenny Griffe