Live Review : Kris Barras Band + Elles Bailey @ Academy 3, Manchester on October 25th 2019

There's a real buzz in the air surrounding these guys at the moment. A band fronted by yep, you guessed it Kris Barras, they are literally taking the UK by storm, treading the boards up and down the country in support of their third album; the recently released “Light It Up” and, by the sound of things on social media, they are literally doing just that, playing to near capacity and sell out crowds every night. Tonight sees the 15 date tour rolling into Manchester once again this year. Early in February, I saw Kris and the boys play at the Deaf Institute, but tonight sees them take a step up and play a cracking venue in the Academy 3, a credit indeed to just how their powerful high energy mix of rock, blues and country are turning people's heads and blowing them away wherever they play. I was lucky enough to meet and interview Kris earlier (see interview) and aside from the fact he's a genuinely nice all round chap, he plays a bloody mean guitar too, and crafts out some wonderfully catchy, belting tunes to match. With 5 A list songs having made it onto Planet Rock's playlist off 2 albums, more people are switching onto the tattooed, ex MMA fighter’s no nonsense brand of high energetic rock, blues and country.

Having previously had the pleasure of seeing the chaps twice before promoting the superb “The Divine and the Dirty” album in 2018, I came away both times wondering just how long it would take for Kris to break through. Well, thanks to said radio exposure, a number 1 album, a really high profile support slot for Black Stone Cherry, playing at the main stage of Ramblin’ Man Festival, and numerous other things described in our interview to have kept them busy in 2019, that time is most definitely now and those not fortunate to have seen the Kris Barras Band before are about to find out just how good these guys are!

By the time I make it into the venue after failing in my quest to find a decent pint of real ale to quench my dry palate after a good old 20 minute chat with Kris beforehand, I arrive to find the support act Elles Bailey already in full flow. The venue is nicely full, the crowd warming nicely to the lovely looking Ms Bailey dressed in leopard skin jacket and black hat. A 5 piece blues band, they played some great tunes featuring some superb slide guitar and soulful vocals. Elles announces that they would be playing a headline show at The Met, Bury in March 2020, a mental note was made to check these guys out further.

We don’t have a long turnaround and before we know it, it’s 21.00 and the Kris Barras Band take to the stage. ‘Ignite (Light it up)’ introduces the band, hitting the crowd with the lead single off the album right between the eyes. It’s busy, and there’s no let up as we get the very catchy ‘Counterfeit People’ before a song from the first album “Lucky 13”, ‘Rock n’ Roll Running Through My Veins’. The band’s on fire, new drummer Billy Hammett’s grooving is tighter than a Yorkshireman’s pocket, Elliot Blacker on bass pulls no end of shapes and provides a deep solid underpinning to Kris’s guitar. Josiah J. Manning, who also produced the album, plays some beautiful Hammond and keys. This tour sees the addition of 2 backing singers Alex Hart and Phoebe Jane who add some wonderful support to Kris’s soulful voice. It’s been no secret that he’s had a chest infection throughout the tour, but with these girls lifting the songs up you simply couldn’t tell.  Another cracker off the new album ‘What a Way to Go’, then ‘I Got Time’ from “Lucky 13”, Kris lays it on thick, displaying some great heartfelt playing, with his hand built Seth Baccus guitars, he’s wringing every note like it's his last. The beautiful ballad ‘Rain’ gives a Kris a rest whilst the backing singers take centre stage. There’s an A cappella audience participation slot which is simply beautiful, and really does demonstrate another side to Kris’s playing and song writing. First track and 2nd single off the new record, ‘What You Get’, leading into the blisteringly catchy ‘Vegas Son’ soon follows. Normally drum solos are not necessary surely? But, new drummer Billy Hammett has to be the exception. Some stunning playing and you can see why Kris has hired him! There’s a reference and nod back to his MMA fighting days with ‘Broken Teeth’ then 2nd album closer, the sublime and heartfelt ‘Watching Over Me’, which Kris fondly dedicates to his late father’s memory. It’s time for Kris to truly open up and wrings every note in a similar vein to the late, great Gary Moore, with a performance that surely leaves a lump in most people’s throat. ‘Not Fading’ doesn’t give us time to breathe, Kris trading licks with drums and keys, playing about with the drum kit, and with a most impressive drum stick throw back and catch! The band finishes the set with ‘Hail Mary’, then encores with ‘Lovers and Losers’, songs that quite rightly so, were both A listers on Planet Rock’s playlist last year. Then the girls take over and introduce a cover of the classic Freddie King tune ‘Going Down’ to close the evening.

For many reasons, including the privilege of interviewing Kris earlier, it’s been a great evening. If you are new to Kris Barras Band, a listen of “Light it Up” may well persuade you to check out his back catalogue. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, this band is only heading in one direction and it was, once again one of those ‘I was there’ moments. Cheers Kris!