Two leading names in modern Blues-Rock recently united for a magical twelve-date UK & Ireland co-headline tour, and last Tuesday night Birmingham Melodic Blues-Rock award winning Emerging Act of The Year Blue Nation, as well as multi-award-winning Irish guitarist Dom Martin, stopped off at London’s The 100 Club. With a multigenerational mixed sex crowd full to the rafters in this raw edged basement, the pace did not waver right from the start with the audience pleading for more.

The so likeable Brummies opened, obviously thrilled to be back to this iconic venue. Indeed, guitarist and vocalist Neil Murdoch said as much, as their collective delight showed. Main man Murdoch fronted the trio with such verve, as well as lot of cheeky chat and a Guinness towel to temper the heat. Indeed, during a hot set that lasted well over an hour, their highlights were ‘Gimme Some Time’, ‘Hand Me Down’, ‘She’s a Storm, the beautiful ‘The Reason’, ‘Once In My Life’ and “Echoes’.

Drummer Nick Sharman played with a superb understated coolness, complemented by bassist and backing vocalist Luke Weston’s quiet assurance, who made every note count, providing the foil for Murdoch’s enthusiasm and his shout outs to an amused crowd. Suffice to say I loved Blue Nation tonight, with their brand of Blues and Rock, and look forward to seeing them live again.

Next up was the Belfast born and Blues force of nature that is Dom Martin. Perfectly complementing Dom’s hard driving delivery tonight on this unique long stage, that’s intrinsic to this venue, were the Rock star stance of stalwart bassist and backing vocalist Ben Graham, as well as Aaron McLaughlin on drums.

With Dom moving and swapping with Graham around the stage, playing some astonishing solos, whilst McLaughlin held the beat, the atmosphere was riotous, electric and frankly mental in a most positive musical way! Indeed, Martin’s influences from Hendrix to Gallagher to Howlin’ Wolf plus much more, were all plain to see in this outstanding set.

Opening with a blinding Rock version of Don Nix’s ‘Going Down’, Martin then moved on to the beautiful hope and poignancy of ‘Daylight I Will Find’. Next up was the roots filled rawness of ‘Belfast Blues’ then the backstory on another cover, Robin Trower’s ‘Alethea’, before moving on to his own personal homage to Mr. Wolf with ‘Howling’ and then finally a ‘Spoonful’ of Willie Dixon.

Dom’s guitar work was spellbinding to watch, particularly when he get up close and personal, delighting those present as he went walkabouts into the crowd. Martin’s tenderness and personal touch was also evident when he offered water to a lady standing nearby, who had felt faint given the heat of the venue. Not only fair play to Dom for truly showing in that moment, his decency, kindness, respect and love for his audience, but also to the lady concerned, not allowing her advancing years to dim her gig and music life flame!

Finally the guys from both bands united on stage, which saw the voltage soar as the crowd went crazy with encores of Cream’s ‘White Room’ and Bad Company’s ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love’! Take a bow Steve Stanley of Solid Entertainments. I salute you! You promoted and delivered a sold out platinum gig with the sizzling combined energy of two brilliant bands that was electrifying!

Review and Photos: Denise Lester