Live Review : Rival Sons + L.A. Edwards @ Academy, Manchester on October 18th 2023

Given I’d never heard of L.A. Edwards until April 2022, this is the third time seeing them play Manchester since then. Previously it has been with The White Buffalo at the O2 Ritz so tonight we are changing it up a bit. This show is sold out and when I arrive the place is quite empty but gradually fills up as they work their way through their 9 song setlist. The crowd are a mix of ages but definitely, and no real surprise, skewed more male than female and mostly middle aged (or should I say my age as another march around the sun looms), but treating themselves to this night of rock n’ roll.  

But we start with a more bluesy rock vibe. Luke Andrew Edwards and his band are a five-piece from Julian, near San Diego. He is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, ably assisted by two of his brothers:, one on guitar (Jay Edwards) and one on drums (Jerry Edwards) and a Tom Petty-esque bassist. Well, Tom Petty are one of the band’s big influences along with CCR… and it was Tom Petty’s bassist who produced the 2017 album “True Blue”. No one seems sure what to make of them, and it doesn’t help that it is hard to make out what he is saying in-between songs, but it’s easy listening for a school night, with a bit of flute thrown in for good measure. As we get to the last few songs the crowd seem more warmed up and seem to be starting to enjoy the set. No doubt I’ll catch them again at some point but for now myself and the audience are far more interested in tonight’s headline act. 

By the time Rival Sons appear the place is packed out and without any form of introduction the band launch into first song of the night ‘Manifest Destiny’ from 2013. Even within the first song we are already getting long guitar solos so I’m not sure how my attention is going to hold up after a long day… but this is quickly followed by ‘Mirrors’ from their latest studio album, “Darkfighter”, which was only released earlier in June. Despite not knowing many songs, hearing this one that I do know early on is a good initiation into what is to come. 

The place is clearly full of die-hard fans, nodding, clapping and singing along and being right at the front I feel a little out of place… but having been stubbornly stuck to mostly only listening to music that I knew, and not having time to uncover new music as recently as 2017, to then listening to radio and having my eyes opened to what had seemed a dying scene, I quickly realised it was, and still is, thriving. So here I am once more discovering more new music and revelling in the joy that is the live experience. I say new but of course anyone who knows Rival Sons, knows they are a two-time Grammy nominated band who formed in Long Beach, California, back in 2009. They have been a supporting act for the likes of AC/DC and Alice Cooper. But tonight, they are here to command the crowd and escort us through a 17-track setlist, with ample acoustic guitars, shakers, and a compulsory tambourine. 

Completely oblivious to what the band look like, on first appearances they seem to be a mix of four bands thrown together. Individuality is the name of the game and as I am musing, I am putting singer and rhythm guitarist Jay in Led Zeppelin (his tailored suit reminds me of something I would have bought from Dorothy Perkins in the early noughties), lead guitarist Scott in Black Sabbath, drummer Mike in Jane’s Addiction (who is mesmerising to watch as usually I’m not near enough the front to see the drummer in action) and bassist Dave I’m not sure about, maybe Queen’s of the Stone Age, though he also looks like my mate Dr Porridge (less said about the latter, the better, quack!). There is a keyboardist too, but I don’t even notice him until towards the end because I can’t see him behind the amps (the answer you are looking for however, is New Order). It’s not an accurate patchwork of the band’s formation (well what a supergroup that would be!) but not surprisingly these are seasoned musicians, and it shows. 

They charge through another three songs, including two of the latest singles ‘Rapture’ and ‘Bird in Hand’ before we get to hear anyone speak and I’m at the point where I am wondering if they are even going to acknowledge us. This is a pet peeve of mine… but then I instantly warm to vocalist Jay when he introduces the next song and talks about how statistically 7 or 8 people among us here tonight will currently be dealing with loss and having to say goodbye before a heartbreaking rendition of ‘Jordan’ from the album “Head Down” (which apparently was recorded in one take, so something definitely worth checking out). The audience dutifully sing-along and it’s very moving as you can really feel the pain that went into writing this track. 

Throughout the night Jay doesn’t say much but when he does address the crowd, he makes it count. So further on in the night he talks about recording their album “Pressure & Time” and how they travelled from Florida to LA with no material, just courage and naïve self-belief. And that is the stuff that gets you out of bed in the morning! Not the 9-5 bullshit. In the words of Susan David “courage is not the absence of fear, courage is fear walking” and I’m totally here for it. Sadly, we don’t all get to be musicians, but this sets the tone for the rest of the set. 

After a not too long guitar solo (Greta Van Fleet please take note) comes the most poignant part of the night when Jay is left alone on stage with just his acoustic guitar. He somewhat awkwardly begins by saying he doesn’t know how to say this and then despite those words he vocalises with incredible eloquence what many of us are thinking about the situation in Gaza. Regrettably I did not record it so cannot quote directly but in essence he says about wielding the hand of God to justify the deaths of children. He then says about how many times they have performed the following song during tough times and wow, it’s absolutely breathtaking. After a trying day and the state of world right now, at home and overseas, I am sure I am not the only one who was overcome with emotion during ‘Shooting Stars’. I’m not supposed to quote lyrics but I’m going for it as this is something everyone needs to carry with them in hard times…

“My love is stronger than yours
It's stronger than yours
It's stronger than yours
My love is stronger than your
Hate will ever be”.

We get a few more songs before the penultimate song ‘Mosaic’. Jay talks about latest album and explains how it was written during 2020 when their country was amid the pandemic and presidential election, and it was a tough year for him personally. They worked on the tracks, but it just didn’t seem to feel like it was finished until they wrote this song. Then he knew it was done and he was happy because this song makes him smile. We get one more song, but this would have been a better ending, I think. I came to this gig thinking “yeah Rival Sons they have a few good songs, worth checking out” but leave the gig having felt a connection with the band, their lyrics, the crowd, and life itself. This is the power of music.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Rival Sons, L.A. Edwards