The Teskey Brothers at Alexandra Palace
In the picturesque setting of Alexandra Palace’s park, an audience of all ages was treated to a blues and soul masterclass from Nectar Woode, Jalen Ngonda and the main attraction, Melbourne’s The Teskey Brothers. On a scorching afternoon/evening, it was a glorious way to see the sunset over north London with a picturesque backdrop.
Rising soul and blues star Woode delivered an impressive set that showed her talent as both a songwriter and singer, coming off the back of a string of successful EPs, with another to drop next week. She is certainly one to keep an eye out for. Ngonda is more established but no less talented with his distinct vocals and retro soul sound, the perfect appetiser for the Teskeys.
The duo emerged into the early evening sunshine and delivered 90 minutes of their distinctive blues sound. From the first track, it was obvious the audience was in for a treat, with Josh Teskey’s vocals sounding in pristine condition. It was clear from their reaction that this was a big deal for the group, and they were clearly having a blast with anecdotes peppered throughout and a wry sense of humour.
Tracks from their first two albums, Run Home Slow and Half Mile Harvest, made up the bulk of the setlist to a strong response. It is a slight shame there wasn’t more material from their most recent record, but this is only a slight quibble in what was a strong set.
One of the most pleasing sights was seeing the breadth of ages in attendance, from younger fans to more seasoned blues listeners, all in awe at the vocal and guitar prowess of the brothers. An energetic rendition of So Caught Up really connected, while Ngonda was brought out for a duet of Ray Charles’s Drown in My Tears, a perfect blend of two stellar vocalists. A rollicking rendition of Paint My Heart meanwhile brought the house down with both brothers in sync and showing the blues is alive and well.
This was a fabulous celebration of blues and soul, and the band delivered an energetic set that wonderfully accompanied the warm summer evening with an unrivalled view. Josh Teskey’s vocals in particular were a real treat to see live and were a talking point post-show.
Christopher Connor
Photos: Miguel de Melo
For further information and future events, visit The Teskey Brothers’s website here.
Watch the video for Remember The Time here:
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