It was a bitterly cold evening but nothing was gonna stop the folks of Nottingham from attending this show at Rescue Rooms...
Singer songwriter Charlie Barnes from the band Bastille opened up the evening with a solo spot on keys and vocals, giving a masterclass performance of raw and intimate songs. His live construction of the songs with loops, over layering vocals and synth was faultless and his delivery of Joni Mitchell's song I Don't Know Love At All will stay with me for days. Unfortunately encores are not given to support acts but Charlie deserved at least one more return to the stage (he actually did come back on to support vocals in a track with To Kill A King later).
Can it really be ten years since To Kill A King released their landmark album Cannibals With Cutlery? Well this tour is the ten-year anniversary, so I guess it must be (it's actually eleven years but that doesn't sound as catchy for the tour slogan) and I was immediately impressed to see them play the songs from the album with a freshness and an energy that usually goes with new material. The fans realised that this six-date tour was probably going to be a one off and they turned up in large numbers to celebrate with the band.
Frontman Ralph Pelleymounter's rich baritone vocals cut through the music and it was a reminder that many more recent singers have imitated his style, with rich, syrupy vocal sounds to compliment the other musicians faultless harmonies. I'd forgotten how good their debut album was and the songs shouted out for more attention, my respect goes to the fan at the front of the stage who danced and sang word perfect to every song!
Tracks like Cannibals With Cutlery, Besides She Said, Children Who Start Fires and many others, were all greatly received by the crowd and yes, they got the encore to come back on stage, as if there would be any doubt. Apparently, To Kill A King hadn't played together for over five years, I'm amazed and impressed that they could play that good with a five year break. Let's all hope they don't leave it as long for the next tour.
To Kill A King performed at Rescue Rooms on 27 January 2024
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