Kiefer Sutherland leading his band through an impressive 90-minute headlining set of country and roots rock at The Coach House in Orange County, CA on April 26, 2018. |
Kiefer Sutherland performing on April 26, 2018. |
Sure, the star of Designated Survivor has been an acclaimed actor for more than 30 years, but the release of his full-length debut album Down in a Hole in August 2016 was truly a surprise. Filled with detailed and confessional original material blending traditional and alt-country styles, the album's stellar songs gain even more depth via Sutherland's compelling concert appearances. That definitely proved to be the case over the length of a fast-moving, 90-minute performance as part of his 2018 Reckless Tour that was staged in San Juan Capistrano last night.
Country rocker Kiefer Sutherland. |
There was a strong rhythm to the night, with Sutherland and company coming out rocking with the song "Run to Him," Sutherland working a tambourine as he took the stage. Strong guitar work from both Gurley and Valleijo injected further firepower in the opener.
There were many high marks of the night. The early part of the show featured the confessional blues-country tune "Reckless & Me" with Gurley's ethereal slide guitar work adorning Sutherland's heartfelt vocals; the emotional rocker "Going Home" with its big finish leading into the tender ballad "I'll Do Anything" came next.
A rousing rollicking cover of Patty Loveless' "Blame It On Your Heart" was pure fun; a cover of the late Merle Haggard's "The Bottle Let Me Down" was faithful in both its power and in traditional country stylings.
Kiefer Sutherland on April 26. |
The show ended with palpable power. After performing the apt acoustic tribute to professional truck drivers ("Open Road"), Sutherland and his band were off to the races. They unleashed the mighty country rocker "Rebel Wind," a fitting freewheeling tribute to the late Tom Petty ("Honey Bee") and finally finished off the inspired night with a new original Latin rock track, "Agave."
To be sure, the same artistic talents Sutherland has displayed on screen are evident in his strengths as a singer, songwriter and sonic storyteller.
Visit Kiefer Sutherland's official music site here.
Rick Brantley performing at the Coach House on April 26, 2018. |
Opening the show was Macon, Georgia-spawned singer-songwriter Rick Brantley, whose Southern charm helped get the crowd to sing along on some of his fun-styled material but thankfully never masked the power of his probing acoustic numbers. Highlights of his 45-minute set included the sparse Bruce Springsteen-tinged "40 Days, 40 Nights," eloquent study of suffering, the affecting "Hurt People." His soulful cover of the Otis Redding classic "Try a Little Tenderness" was a justified crowd pleasing moment with everyone riveted by Brantley's inspired vocals and strong rhythms on his acoustic guitar.
Review by Robert Kinsler
Photography by Bob Steshetz
Kiefer Sutherland Concert at the Coach House Setlist
Run to Him / Something You Love / Reckless & Me / Going Home / I'll Do Anything / Blame It On Your Heart (Patty Loveless cover) / The Bottle Let Me Down (Merle Haggard cover) / Faded Pair of Blue Jeans / Saskatchewan / Calling Out Your Name / All She Wrote / Down in a Hole / Can't Stay Away / Ways to be Wicked (Lone Justice cover) / Rebel Wind / Honey Bee (Tom Petty cover) / Agave
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