Smith//Kotzen – The Black Light/White Noise Tour // Live Review // The O2 Academy // Bristol
Review: Matt Prosser
Photography: Emma Painter
On a dark and windy night in Bristol, punters queuing outside the O2 found themselves quickly ushered into the venue, grasping their tickets for a long-awaited night with Smith & Kotzen. With trembling hands, they navigated through security and made a beeline for the bar. As a fan of Kotzen since seeing The Winery Dogs a couple of years ago at The Marble Factory before it closed, and a lifelong admirer of Iron Maiden, the night promised to be something special. As a kid, I can always remember singing “Run to the Hills” on the school bus, much to the amusement of the driver.
Eager to see the Kris Barras Band live, the night took an unexpected turn when the band had to cancel at the last minute due to Kris Barras being unwell with a throat infection. As a fellow singer, I really hope Kris has a swift recovery.
With the change of plans and no support band to fill the shoes of Kris Barras, there was some time to wander around the venue, taking in the crowd, which leaned mostly older but with plenty of young’uns sprinkled throughout. Amused by the multitude of patches on the well-worn battle jackets around in the crowd, it was great spotting the more obscure ones. A particular favourite of the night was a truly vintage Status Quo patch, possibly older than me! The venue also played some great tracks over the PA – from Metallica and Ozzy to Extreme -while the gentle buzz of conversation from the crowd created a really good vibe.
After a particularly long wait, the stage techs started moving around, and the tension wound up a notch as our attention hit the stage. The crowd shuffled into the best positions as the lights dimmed for the intro sample. Moments later, the lights went up, and the band exploded into their first number. The crowd were immediately carried along as Kotzen’s incredible vocal cut above everything, second only to his amazing guitar technique, tapping out a solo like it was nothing. Smith was equally brilliant with his more traditional style, complementing Kotzen as they launched into “Blacklight,” followed by “Wraith,” with its ominous opening tones setting the perfect atmosphere for a stunning vocal harmony section from both Smith and Kotzen.
By the third song, they began to interact with the crowd, who responded in kind to Kotzen, as you don’t get the likes of these guys around here every day! Smith also seemed to appreciate the crowd’s energy, beaming as he swapped guitars from the many in his guitar rack. It was clear the band was having a blast, and Kotzen seemed in particularly high spirits, possibly due to a successful day spent exploring Bristol, purchasing a suitcase and hat – Rock and Roll indeed Sir!
The intimate venue made it easy to appreciate the chemistry between the band members. The interaction between Smith and his guitar tech was visible as an errant cable made a nuisance of itself. Despite the small hiccup, the band’s tight performance more than made up for it, offering a Rock Blues masterclass with a touch of jazz thrown in before launching into “Darkside.” The track’s focus on mental health and the importance of asking for help resonated deeply, no matter who you are.
The rhythm section of Julia Lage on bass and Bruno Valverde on drums could have easily been overshadowed by the legendary frontmen, but they absolutely weren’t. Bruno was a master on the kit, while Julia’s bass notes provided a powerful backbone to the guitars. Both were clearly enjoying themselves, locked into the vibe all night.
The band’s recent single “White Noise” was a highlight, blending heavy yet melodic hard rock with Kotzen’s exciting vocals further elevating the track. “Scars” was also very well received by the crowd, and when even the bar staff could be seen grooving along between serving drinks, it was clear the performance was a hit.
When the band left the stage, the audience’s stomping feet demanded an encore, creating a palpable sense of anticipation. The roof almost seemed ready to come down as the band returned to deliver a powerful closing rendition of Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years,” leaving me utterly inspired and at a loss for words.
As the penultimate night of the band’s short and sweet Black Light/White Noise tour, it most definitely left a lasting impression on every person in the venue. What a night!
SMITH/KOTZEN
BLACK LIGHT / WHITE NOISE
EXPANDED DIGITAL VERSION OUT TODAY
FEATURING TWO NEW TRACKS
‘THE GRIND’ AND ‘ALL THE WAY DOWN’
STREAM & DOWNLOAD HERE
THE BLACK LIGHT / WHITE NOISE
EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR IS ON NOW:
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Review: Matt Prosser
Photography: Emma Painter
