Reef - Will the 'Revelation' be televisied?

May 6th 2018

London, Hammersmith, Eventim Apollo, UK

****

Take Hammersmith to Church

Brit-Rock must be Destroyed - UK Tour 2018

Reef **** are Indie Rock band from the 90's, that mixed Grunge with Classic Blues and Stoner riffs. Best known for their mega hit 'Put your Hands', which you could hear on every radio station for decades. Other hits included 'Come back Brighter' and 'Naked' which introduced the band to the World. The band still had three of the original members in them, Gary Stinger (Vocals / Tambourine), Jack Bessant (Bass) and Dominic Greensmith (Drums). Newish edition to the band is Jesse Wood (Guitar), who joined the band four years ago in 2014.

Reef are here tonight as part of a touring package called 'BritRock must be Destroyed', which includes three other great acts The Wildhearts, Terrorvision and Dodgy. All great Rock bands that ruled our airwaves and CD players, the whole way through the 90's. Dodgy are the opening act for the tour, with Reef, Terrorvision and The Wildhearts playing full sets each night with a rotating headliner. Reef seem to have bought an army of loyal fans with them tonight, and don't seem to be to everyones taste. I think this is because of their change of genre in the last few years, going from Indie Rock or should we say Brit Rock, to being more Blues and old school Classic Christian Rock.

Their is a real Church / Gospel vibe to their new music, and Reef I think tonight want to take you to their church. I think this new direction led to people leaving in droves tonight, not getting the music or it not being to their tastes. This does not mean it is a bad thing though, I think this material would go down very well at their own shows. And the way they play it, is to the point and perfectly played. Singer Gary Stringer's voice sounds better than it has ever done before. And the lighting is just simply enlighting, this is a band that knows how to perform and deliver a perfect show.

They strangely play 'Put your Hands' second in their set, getting it done early... which very strange for a band to do. Most bands would not pla their most popular song second, and this must be because they have so much confidence in the rest of their material. Bass player Jack Bessant looks like an cross between an evil Santa, Rob Zombie and The White Buffalo tonight!!!. As he plucks in time to the music, I think he has a great distinctive look... which is really memorable.

One of their new songs 'My sweet Love ' which features Sheryl Crow on the album, is really good tonight. With Lynne Jackaman taking the place of absent Sheryl Crow on the female vocals, well you would not expect Sheryl to come to every Reef gig to perform it. I think Sheryl has her own gigs to play, but I am sure she will find her way to a few Reef gigs... for them to perform this together. Just tonight was not one of these night, but Lynne did a very good job in her place.

For me one of the highlights of tonights performance has got to be, the infectious 'I would have left You' off the album 'Glow' which has a killer groove to it. Another great moments where the classic single 'Come back Brighter' which sounds incredible tonight, a long with 'Naked' which was originally was featured in a Sony mini disc advert. You know it, we have all head it... and we all love it. I have to say if I was Reef, I wouldn't have played so many songs from the new album. This tour was more about the hits, and even though Reef have a really strong new album... it is not suiting to the audience that is in attendance tonight. An audience that want the hits, and not the Gospel / Church material from 'Revelations'... which is more aimed at their loyal fanbase.

Reef - Setlist
------------------------
Higher Vibration
Place your Hands
Stone for your Love
First Mistake
Consideration
How I got Over
My sweet Love
I would have left You
I've got something to Say
Come back Brighter
Precious Metal
Don't you like It?
Summer's in Bloom
Naked
Yer Old
--------------------
Revelation
Revelation (Reprise)