The gifted Marcus King Band play to a sold out Night and Day Cafe tonight.Doors open at 8.00pm and the venue is filling fast. Opening act is the great English singer-songwriter Beth Rowley. She is thrilled to be opening for Marcus King and plays a great set with electric guitar accompaniment from her friend Tom. She has a lovely hypnotic voice and plays harmonica on a couple of songs from her new album, ‘Gota Fria’. I grabbed a copy from her at the end of the night and I’m loving it!

Punching well above his years Marcus King is already a star with blues music lovers due to his exceptional guitar prowess. His debut album ‘Soul Insight’, released in 2015 had all and sundry getting their knickers in a twist due to his age, 19 years old, being too young for the quality of the songs on that release. Strong connections with Warren Haynes (produced their second album, The Marcus King Band) and Derek Trucks from the Tedeschi Trucks Band who King opened for on TTB Wheels of Soul Tour in 2018 gave the band much needed exposure.

New album ‘Carolina Confessions’, a nod to his roots as King was raised in Greenville, South Carolina has all the ingredients of an American classic. From slow burners to blues rockers with splashes of jazz and a whole lot of soul tonight we get a hot two hour show. The Marcus King rhythm and blues gospel revue has arrived. Tonight Marcus plays songs from his back catalogue - a great version of ‘Jealous Man’, some choice covers including a fantastic version of ‘Dear Prudence’ from the Beatles and new songs ‘Homesick’ and ‘How Long’. On most tracks of the new album, you can hear an Al Green influence painted over King soulful vocals and tonight in a live setting, is no exception. In fact, this band is more of a soul rock gumbo than a blues band for all to hear. On this tour, King surrounded himself with a great bunch of talented musicians that includes Justin Johnson on trumpet and trombone, Dean Mitchell on saxophone, Deshawn ‘D-Vibes’ Alexander on keyboards and organ, Jack Ryan on drums and Stephen Campbell on bass. At one time or another, they all get their opportunity to shine. Those horns and organ really help the band swing without being too distracting. For the blues affiicionado, Marcus King will stick to his favourite classic Gibson 1962 ES-345 all night in perfect symbiosis.

If you didn’t get chance to see this great band on any of the four shows in the UK, keep your fingers crossed they return next year.

Words and photography by Lee Gabites