It’s a great opening set by sassy blues-rock outfit Blue Violet tonight as they pair the intense vocals of Sarah Gotley with the driving musicality of the band led by guitarist, Sam Gotley. Standing out with ‘Halo’ and final track ‘Asylum’, Blue Violet are in fine form and are ones to catch live next time they’re up here.
There’s a quick turnaround, including a blizzard of stage smoke and incense burning, before the Shaker’s hit the stage for their 90-minute set.
Opening up with a superb scuzz/funk guitar introduction to ‘Hey Dude’, Kula are on top form tonight, blazing across classics such as ‘Hush’ and ‘Tattva’ with incredible confidence and panache; Mills in particular blazing his fretboard with fine effect. Newer and less commercial tracks, ‘Gingerbread Man’ and ‘Whatever It Is’, stand out tonight however, with bassist Alonza George Bevan popping and grooving in a standout performance that centres both the music and the show.