Miles Kane at The O2 Academy Bristol - Live Music Review

Posted on: 2018-12-07

Our rating:

Miles Kane is a reminder of what live music is all about and is talented enough to take you from the 70s through to today whilst appealing to everyone. He is a natural showman, guitarist, front man and an act that many bands could learn from.


I have only just discovered the man of the moment Mr Miles Kane. To my surprise at only 32 years of age he has 15 years of experience behind him within the music industry. A former guitarist with The Rascals and team mate of Alex Turner in The Last Shadow Puppets, he has now decided to go it alone.

 

Tonight sees Miles playing to a sold out crowd at the O2 in Bristol on a wet winter night.  I do not know what to expect from him. To date I have only heard his latest album Coup De Grace, I can safely say that if he can match the quality of this brilliant collection of songs live then we are in for a great night.

Miles Kane

As I enter the venue, support band The Cabbage are just starting their set. Formed in Mossley, Tameside in 2015, the 5 piece group carry the look and sound of the early Manchester scene. They seem to be popular with the ever increasing crowd and grow in confidence with every song. Goodnight we are The Cabbage is their only communication of the night from them as they leave the stage.

 

The scene  is set, the shredded foil back drop bearing the words Coup De Grace and clouds of dry ice prepare us all for the grand entrance of Miles Kane. As the band crash in to the first number the lights explode in to action and the crowd launch half-filled plastic glasses in to the air and the show begins. Quickly followed by the fantastic Too Little Too Late the energy in the room has accelerated into overdrive.

 

If you could imagine the energy of The Clash with a touch of Oasis and the glitz of glam rock put into a melting pot, then this is what it creates. Miles is a natural showman that says very little between songs but knows how to communicate through his performance. Give Up and Silver Screen   are clever numbers that show the ability of this talented artist. Cry On My Guitar sounds hauntingly like Marc Bolan and is adored by the fanatical fans that love him. Miles thrives on the intimate connection of the smaller venue crowd and frequently holds his arms wide open whilst nodding his head with shouts of I love you Bristol.

 

More tracks from the latest album follow, Wrong Side Of Life and Loaded. By now everyone in the building are absorbed and lost in this theatrical hypnotic show. Killing The Joke slows the pace and again shows the versatility of the genre of music that Miles has in his armoury.

 

For me the climax of the night is when Miles plays a familiar intro with maximum distortion teasingly to his disciples, as he counts in the band they burst into the Donna Summer classic Hot Stuff. It is a brave gamble that pays out in gold. It sums up the seventies connection that has obviously influenced the path of his musical direction. At this point the whole place is in a state of trance.

Miles Kane

The album title Coup De Grace keeps the pumping beat pounding before ending with Don’t Forget Who You Are. With a swagger the group stumble off the stage and leave the crowd ecstatic. Chants of Miles, Miles, Miles pay off and the band come back for an encore. First number is a big favourite Shavambacu . To end, Miles plays Come Closer, with leather jacket open and six pack on show he puts his guitar on his head and belts out the final number that demands interaction from the crowd singing back to him. 

 

They disappear from the stage for the last time tonight to the sound of feedback from their disregarded instruments and the chants of demanding fans that will never have enough.

 

Miles Kane is a reminder of what live music is all about and is talented enough to take you from the 70s through to today whilst appealing to everyone. He is a natural showman, guitarist, front man and an act that many bands could learn from. 

 



Article by:

Mike Headington

Born and bred in Weston-super-Mare, Mike has played in bands over the last 30 years and has an avid interest in a wide range of music genres. With a passion for live music he spends endless nights watching all types of bands, both famous and not so famous. With a love of Bristol’s infamous venues and the thriving music scene he also follows the local football club in red with a passion. His mission statement is...Keep it real, keep it live and Keep on Rocking!!