A great night of bluesy Americana music was to be had on Monday night at Manchester’s New Century Hall, a venue reopened in 2022 following a £10 million renovation. And a venue that had hosted the likes of The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix back in the day. So no pressure on Kiefer Sutherland and his band then.
For those fearing a vanity project, those fears were allayed within seconds of Kiefer taking the stage, donned in a dark suit and cowboy hat looking every part the purposeful troubadour.
Backed by a highly polished band the set was opened with a new song’Down Below’ which set the tone for a really great evening. Kiefer Sutherland is not to be taken lightly as both a songwriter and performer and tonight he was in great form. Not long into the set he delivers his interpretation of Garbage’s ‘Only Happy When It Rains’ swiftly followed by another new song ‘Goodbye California’ which has the audience dancing along with. It is a tune which tells a story not only in its lyrics but in its delivery. Kiefer has a barroom, whisky edged tone to his voice which gives his delivery an honest and sincere reality which elevates his music.
An older tune ‘Something You Love’ a country rock track has some singing along, as Kiefer has built quite a devoted following who know every song from his first three albums.
However, new tunes are well represented and well received ‘Come Back Down’ being one of them, a slow, well crafted country song and the more upbeat ‘Ole’, ‘Lonely Life’ or the topical ‘American Farmer’.
Kiefer Sutherland knows what he’s doing and this is evidenced with who is in his touring band – Ash Wilson on guitar pulls no punches, Phil Wilson on drums and Roger Inniss on bass present a tight, thunderous rhythm section and CJ Hillman on guitar and steel pedal adds a wholesome vibe to the whole event. And not to forget Kiefer’s own considerable talent on rhythm guitar.
The evening moves on the music intensifies, ‘Simpler Time’ another new tune and ‘Two Stepping IN Time’ has even more people dancing along with ‘This Is How It’s Done’.
Kiefer’s voice superbly suits the bluesy ‘Down In A Hole’ delivered with the honesty only few can accomplish.
We were treated to Marshall Tucker Band’s ‘Can’t SeeYou’ and Kiefer’s interpretation of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘See You On The Other Side’ which helped increase the joyous intensity. Finishing with ‘Agave’ Kiefer Sutherland showed that as well as being an accomplished actor he is also a great singer and musician and songwriter at the top of his game.
The audience was treated to an encore of ‘In The Air Tonight’ (and although I’m no Phil Collins fan Kiefer does a fine reworking) and ‘Starlight’ which brought proceedings to a very satisfying close with an audience who had enjoyed every minute of an excellent performance.
Words by Andrew Goodlad
Photos by Philip Goddard
