After a fairly straight country set from Sam it’s onto Striking Matches. If the crowd were expecting more of the same then this was shattered by first track. It’s straight out blues with Sarah Zimmerman unleashing her inner Dan Auerbach or Jack White with amazing slide guitar. Resplendent in white caped jumpsuit looking like she has just stepped off the set of Mamma Mia but don’t be fooled by this girlie image. She rocks like the proverbial ba$tard. Meanwhile Justin Davis more than holds his own switching between rhythm and lead guitar and he has the licks too. He’s an understated but exceptional guitarist.
They open with mainly new tracks from recent EPs and while I wasn’t over familiar, the duo are such good songwriters they hit the spot straight away with catchy hooks and choruses to boot. It’s certainly a heavy start that showcases their electric guitar skills along with the duo’s shared lead vocals
Switching guitars throughout from electric to acoustic to mandolin and Eric the baby guitar we are treated to assorted tracks from their sole album plus assorted covers such as a slowed down version of Rick Astley’s ‘Never gonna give you up’ plus a barnstorming version of Robert Johnsons ‘Cross Road Blues’.
But the highlight tonight as it was two years ago when I saw them was the moving ‘When the right one comes along’. Quite simply one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Hair tingling stuff.
Striking matches have a fantastic rapport with the audience and their joy and enthusiasm with what they do cannot fail to translate to us all. It’s a great evening of the finest country rock blues whatever that you can ever see. Two super talented musicians at the very top of their game like a country Black Keys or White Stripes. Oh and don’t forget they have the best guitar gurning faces when hitting those high notes too. Wow.
Till the next time and don’t forget to stop off in London again later in the year.
Keep on country blues rockin y’all