Charley Crockett/Theo Lawrence
The Deaf Institute
Manchester
31st October 2022
It’s Halloween and tonight’s gig has a curfew because the youngsters have a club night starting at 11… wait… hang on – looking at the queue for the Charley Crockett gig, assembling at around 6.30, all the young people were here already!
Regular attendees at country/Americana gigs in the UK in recent years will know that a “typical” audience leans heavily towards a middle-aged and upper male demographic, but there are strong signs that this music is casting its influence further afield.
In recent times, Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell – and to an extent, Billy Strings – are pulling in a much more diverse – and enthusiastic crowd.
That was certainly in the favour of support act Theo Lawrence – although the crowd would have been unfamiliar with his material (he played a fair chunk of a soon to be released album) – such was the empathy with his sound that the audience took it upon themselves to become a mass kick drum and rhythm section.
Whooping and hollering too – and not ironic either, but in delight that someone was playing this music – honky-tonk, reminiscent of Marty Robbins and Faron Young.
Theo looks like a very young Henry Winkler – Fonzie to those of you of a certain age.
Bonus points too, for singing a murder ballad where the bloke gets strangled by the woman’s stockings. Definitely one to listen out for, especially when he’s able to bring his full band.
There’s a short turnaround – presumably to gain as much available time before the 10pm curfew; Mr Crockett and band hit the stage to a blistering take on “Cowboy Candy”… and then it’s pretty much non-stop for the rest of the set.
Following the Ramones’ adage that ‘if you don’t like a song, don’t worry – there’ll be another one along in three minutes’, this is a set packed with energy – it’s well-paced and delivered with supreme musicianship.
Highlights for me included the poppy and bouncy “Lonely in Person”, the James “Slim” Hand mini-tribute and “Don’t tell me that”.
There was stylistic variety too, with the soulful “I Need Your Love” a T-Bone Walker cover and the banjo-driven “Lily”.
Like a more expressive Joey Ramone, Crockett keeps his talking to a minimalistic minimum, introducing his (superb) band The Blue Drifters and complimenting the audience, venue and city.
Who needs frills though, when it’s as good as this – a veritable smorgasbord of the best bits of Hardcore Country styles, played with fire and feeling.
There was just time for a two song encore – an acoustic “July Jackson” and one more number with full band, before this reviewer had to dash to catch his train.
Interestingly, upon leaving the venue, there was no-one outside queuing for the club night.
That’s because all the cool kids got it right and went to see Charley Crockett….
Review and photos by Nick Barber
Photos – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAdrPx
The Rocking Magpie 