When I first saw tonight's French support band Little Odetta perform at the Leman Blues Festival back in 2024, I was held spellbound by their set. So I was thrilled to see their name in this year’s line up at this year's January Blues Festival at 229 Great Portland Street . Indeed, again supporting King King tomorrow night, their London debut tonight was superb, as this powerhouse of a band blew the audience away, smashing through their stunning set and music.

Formed in France in 2020, lead singer Adel Laurie is a tour-de-force vocalist and performer, as her swift stage moves and grooves, coupled with a vocal intensity, made for a most memorable evening. Comprising also of Lucas Itie (guitar), Aurelien Herson Macarel (bass), Fabien Rault (drums) and Florian Chignon (keyboards), they were so in the zone, delivering a ramped up Rock Blues set with a collective raw and fresh vibe.

Attuned to each other and each playing with ecstatic enjoyment, their first night openers were 'Little Bit of Soul', before moving on to the set sparkler and one of their signature songs 'Shake', which I loved. Continuing with 'Struck', 'Leave Me Alone' and 'Out Of The Game', the too short set also included Laurie’s stunning cover of James Brown's 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' which was world class, where each note and nuance counted.

Smoothly moving into 'No Medication', another of their popular songs, they ended their explosive set with the very apt 'Sweet Release'. With a wide reach, such as the dedicated fans in the audience from Belgium and France tonight, as well the UK Blues lovers, make sure in future that you go listen and see Little Odetta all you Blues Rock travellers!

Established Scottish headliner's King King, continued to showcase the month long/nineteen date January Blues Festival's diverse Blues music lineup, with their so macho brand of Blues Rock. Indeed their lucky thirteen strong set delighted their die hard fans, some of whom had travelled down from the North. Such is King King’s UK reach.

'More Than I Can Take', 'Let Love In' and 'Waking Up' were their opening set sweeteners, before moving on to 'Strong', 'Lose Control', 'Along Of History Of Love', 'Cried Out For Love', 'Hurricane', 'Whatever It Takes To Survive' and 'You Stopped The Rain'. The kilted Alan Nimmo on lead guitar and vocals, had a commanding presence on stage, along with his brother Steve Nimmo (guitar/vocals ), Jonny Dyke (keyboards), Zander Greenshields( bass) and Andrew Scott (drums). Finishing with 'Rush Hour', 'I Will Not Fall' plus an encore of 'Stranger to Love', King King were tight, and together they delivered a solid, enjoyable set of Blues Rock!

Videos, Photos and Review: Denise Lester