The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMusicLive music

Ron Pope and the Nighthawks at Koko

Ron Pope and the Nighthawks at Koko | Live review
16 January 2016
The editorial unit
Avatar
The editorial unit
16 January 2016

Music review

The editorial unit

Ron Pope and the Nighthawks at Koko

★★★★★

Highlights

In My Bones, Bad Intentions, A Drop in the Ocean

Links

Twitter Facebook Soundcloud Website

Ron Pope and the Nighthawks visited the Koko for just the second gig of their world tour on the back of their recently released self-titled debut album.

The band kicked things off with an energised performance of their own trademark brand of American rock, including songs like Hell or High Water and Southern Cross. Complete with brass ensemble, the band worked well as a unit, creating a diverse and interesting sound, one capable of filling an arena setting far larger than the Koko.

Given his recent break from touring, you could have forgiven Ron’s stage persona for being a little rusty but, as the band finished Come to California, the huge roar that erupted around the venue signaled that all in attendance were very much into the swing of things. Ron’s ever-growing confidence was reflected by the sense of spontaneity in his song choices, often re-visiting his older material on a whim. After One Shot of Whiskey the band even paused the set to toast a birthday (a bottle of whisky was aptly passed around!) It was a fun and endearing moment that was characteristic of the concert’s relaxed, easy-going feel.

Nevertheless, Ron demonstrated the ability to touch hearts with a poignant and emotive rendition of In My Bones. This song, with its Beatles-esque melody and chord progression, was truly stunning – the first emotional high point of the night.

Overall, the band struck a neat balance between the stripped-back, melodic songwriting that brought Ron into the public awareness, while incorporating the twang of the guitars, the warmth of the brass and the brightness of the piano to create a sound that pays homage to the band’s roots in American country and blues music. Bad Intentions, for example, was a true big-band number that re-created a New-Orleans carnival atmosphere with the crowd singing and dancing along to the beat.

As the band returned for an encore, you could sense that the crowd had one final wish – and Ron happily obliged. A Drop in the Ocean finished off the evening in beautiful style. As it neared it conclusion, Ron gave up trying to fight against the tide of voices and resigned himself to conducting the chorus that rang out. It was a euphoric moment – the second emotional high point of the night – and a fitting way to finish show filled with honest and well-crafted songs.

★★★★★

James Wood
Photo: Steven Pisano

For further information about Ron Pope and the Nighthawks and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Hotel Room here:

Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service provided by an external third party.

YouTube privacy policy

If you accept this notice, your choice will be saved and the page will refresh.

Related Itemslive musicreview

More in Live music

Laura Mvula – Under a Pink Moon

★★★★★
Sylvia Unerman
Read More

Tom Grennan live in concert – online

★★★★★
Georgie Cowan-Turner
Read More

The Cinematic Orchestra at the Southbank Centre

★★★★★
Dan Meier
Read More

Vienna New Year’s Day Concert at the Musikverein

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

Rufus, Martha and Lucy Wainwright Present: A Not So Silent Night “Virtually Together”

★★★★★
Francis Nash
Read More

Pete Tong and the Heritage Orchestra: Ibiza Classics – O Come All Ye Ravers at the O2 Arena Online

★★★★★
Dan Meier
Read More

Courtney Barnett live from the Royal Exhibition Building Melbourne

★★★★★
Georgie Cowan-Turner
Read More

Gorillaz: Song Machine Live

★★★★★
Sylvia Unerman
Read More

Andrea Bocelli at Teatro Regio di Parma Online

★★★★★
Dan Meier
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Music review

The editorial unit

Ron Pope and the Nighthawks at Koko

★★★★★

Highlights

In My Bones, Bad Intentions, A Drop in the Ocean

Links

Twitter Facebook Soundcloud Website

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Smith & Burrows – Only Smith & Burrows Is Good Enough
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Creation Stories
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Gatsby at Cadogan Hall: An interview with Jodie Steele and Ross William Wild
    Theatre
  • Wrong Turn
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Ginny & Georgia
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Toll
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • The Mauritanian
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • My Favourite War
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • In the Shadows
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Laura Mvula – Under a Pink Moon
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • My Favourite War
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Typical at Soho Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Minari
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • West End Musical Drive In Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Meilyr Jones – 2013 | Album review
Three Days Grace: An interview with Brad Walst of the Canadian rock band