The Ferret is making a very welcome habit of putting on the highest quality rock and metal gigs of late, bringing in a fascinating and eclectic mix of bands to their stage and invigorating the Preston scene at the same time.  And tonight, is no exception, pulling off something of a coup hosting An Evening with These Wicked Rivers, for their first ever visit to the city. 

Hometown heroes Lythium open the proceedings and despite only having a relatively short set, immediately make the most of the time they do have, stamping their authority on the assembled masses.  They’re assured and confident, and so they should be; they display a fascinating range of influences that blends together to create a sound that may have its roots in the past but impresses with a firmly contemporary edge.  Powerful and riff-heavy at times, they still have a strong melodic component, with a fabulous bass groove ebbing and flowing, underpinning everything. 

When they drop the hammer and hit the gas pedal they rock as hard as anyone, with impressive effects-driven soloing and powerhouse drumming of eye-catching bravado that really adds to the Lythium sound, and certainly raises the eyebrows of those in the crowd, garnering appreciative nods and hollers, at least from those around me. By the end of the set, they get a much louder roar of approval than you might expect from the first band on the bill; definitely mark in the category of “ones to keep an eye on”. 

Some bands (at least the best ones) just make you smile, make you feel good, make you feel like all is right in the world, and the magnificent Fargo Railroad Co. fall firmly into this camp. If you’ve ever harboured even the slightest inkling of a liking for music of the Southern/Country rock persuasion – or frankly, even if you haven’t - you can’t fail to be enamoured by The Fargo Railroad Co and their beautifully melodic, good time rock n’ roll. The perfect band for a Saturday night party, when The Fargo Railroad Co. take to the stage, in a heartbeat the energy in the room changes and en-masse we’re enveloped by the warmth and charisma of the hugely talented and likeable Sheffield four-piece. Frontman Jody Davies plays the crowd with the roguish panache and road-honed skills of someone who knows exactly how to get the best out of any audience. With a fine line in self-deprecating humour, from the inspired call and response of “you’re an asshole” from ‘Drinkin’ Alone’ to the brilliantly structured ‘Punch Drunk’, every song is received with open arms and, as the set progresses, an ever more enthusiastic response from the crowd. 

Jody is ably backed by the two Andys on bass and lead guitar, purveyors of melodies that would give the Eagles a heartache tonight, with elegantly understated solo work and gorgeous bass-lines that absolutely demand you stomp your feet and nod your head, the band’s playing is deceptively tight, allowing Jody the scope and space in which to ply his trade. With a brace of tracks from their excellent 2024 album “Time and Grace” and a clutch of other crowd-pleasers, this is a performance high on crowd involvement and a feel-good factor that’s undeniable, and wouldn’t feel out of place in Nashville’s Bluebird Café (or maybe the Double Deuce), let alone Preston’s The Ferret. 

There’s a rollicking ‘Vegas’ with yet another glorious singalong, and the set draws to a close way too soon, although by this point even the hardest holdout has succumbed to the band’s utterly irresistible approach.  The Fargo Railroad Co. aren’t just a great Southern Rock band, they are simply a great band period, regardless of style or genre. 

These Wicked Rivers may never have written a song quite as appropriate as ‘Force of Nature’ for, simply put that is exactly what this band are. From the moment they set foot on stage to the second they depart, they deliver an over-powering, soul-rattling almost biblical sonic assault of devastating proportions that leaves The Ferret reeling in the best possible way.  It’s all-consuming and bluesy, swampy and groovy, hard rocking and high octane, but also laced with moments of profound beauty, delicacy and introspection.  It’s little wonder that the band seem to inspire such a devoted and almost religious fervour in their legions of fans.  Many bands lean into a 70s aesthetic but standard lamps and paisley drapes over the amps as part of their stage decoration are still a somewhat unusual whilst visually striking and powerful look. 

These Wicked Rivers possess that rarest of combinations of performing music that moves you with its emotional heft just as hard as it rocks.  There are times when you almost feel like you could be in a gospel revival tent in the Deep South rather than a small club in the North West of England, helped along by Rich Wilson’s sublime shimmering keys and Arran Day’s simply phenomenal guitar.  Displaying some of the most amazing six string skills I’ve witnessed for a long, long time, as well as possibly the coolest boots this side of the Mississippi (or the Ribble at the very least) Arran high kicks and throws shapes like a man possessed, the epitome of the guitarist as the gentleman gunslinger, melding suave cool with superlative guitar playing, each and every note nailed with absolute passion and flair. And at the epicentre of the hurricane, John Hartwell, stands centre stage, whether hitting hard with a soulful roar or a delicate almost hushed delivery, a skilled storyteller, his impassioned vocals never anything less than a revelation.   

The majority of the set is culled from the epic “Force of Nature” long-player ensuring both light and (lamp) shade throughout, from the full throttle bombast of ‘The Riverboatman’ or ‘Black Gold’ to the haunting fragility of ‘Lonely Road’, the band take us on a journey with each and every song, conjuring a unique atmosphere, a moment, a mood.  It’s music to get lost in, to carry you away to another time and place, timelessly evocative and compelling.  And looking round you can see that transcendent effect on the faces of the rapt crowd, transfixed and swept along by the majesty of what they’re seeing and hearing.  It’s testament to the band’s songwriting craft and skilful and thoughtful lyrical content that they can have you roaring along with a heavy number in one second and then soothing your soul with something emotive and resonant in the very next, or even within the same song.  The stunning ‘Don’t Pray for Me’ for example pulls all these elements together in one amazing song, one that I don’t think it would be hyperbole to declare a modern masterpiece.   

Quite why These Wicked Rivers aren’t playing the biggest of venues is surely one of life’s great mysteries, but for those of us who get the chance to the see them play in such intimate surroundings, we can only be grateful to witness something so truly special up close and personal.  In the words of the band “this is our family now” and never was there a truer sentiment. Joined together, united in a way that we seldom are in these troubled times, these are moments to savour and embrace, with tonight a joyous, life-affirming testament to the uplifting power of great music.  If you didn’t find something to love here this evening, you really need to check that a) you still have a pulse and/or b) that you’re in the right venue… 

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
These Wicked Rivers + The Fargo Railroad Co. + Lythium