Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
This month see’s The Commoners back on UK soil for the third time in just over a year, in fact its about 15 months. This great Canadian 5 piece yet again bring their Canadian blues rock vibe to our shores to promote their New album ‘RESTLESS’. Having already played at a few ‘new’ venues to them they can now add the infamous KKs to that growing list.
We are downstairs tonight in the smaller intimate room, which has a good-sized crowd filling its space as myself and colleague, Haluk make our way to the ‘pit’. Its full, ok it’s not the biggest but theirs already enough testosterone in there to make it uncomfortable so we elect to stand on the barrier. Strangely more togs arrive and insist on being at the stage edge. Bizarre.
On this tour The Commoners are the headline turn, so in support they have brought with them, fellow Canuck, Madison Galloway, a singer song writer from Fergus, Ontario. As an independent, she started a crowd funding page to raise money to afford to come on the tour. She is known for her gutsy rock edged blues, folk inspired, southern rock influenced music, delivered with a warmth that has you immediately relaxed and onside. There is a 5-track EP, 2015’s ‘Who Knows Where’ and her debut long Player, 2019’s Moon & Mercury already in her back catalogue, these have now been joined by her sophomore album, 2024’s self-titled “Madison Galloway.” Having had a quick listen in the car on my journey over, I say quick it was a 90-minute drive, but I’m looking forward to seeing what’s played tonight.
Kicking the night off with “Freedom,” Madison gets the night underway, It’s from the new album, a lively track that gets the crowds attention, there is a familiarity to the played riff that I can’t put a finger on. This slim figure, dressed in black shorts and a glittery sleeveless top, her biceps adorned with arm jewellery as she flicks her hair out of her eyes, is playing a painted telecaster guitar, through a tiny Hughes and Ketner amp sat on top of a large, dare I guess at a 4×10 HiWatt cab. The sound is dirty and distorted but in a good way. The keys of Nik Hurst are swirling around as he hits the keys on his Nord Stage 2 keyboard, and George Love is at the back knocking hell out of the drums.
Her infectious energy is rewarded with a rousing cheer and massive applause as the song finishes. She has hit a home run and has the crowd on side with the first song. Her inspiring lyrics are going down well with the crowd as she follows this with ‘Hatebirds,’ another from her sophomore album, ‘Madison Galloway.’ It’s a bluesy guitar riffed banger, her emotive vocals and animated delivery add to the dynamics provided by, to many of us, this fresh new talent. The catchy drum groove has Madison picking out notes over the top before hitting the breakdown with a super compressed solo on her guitar. Nice!
The though provoking “Love Like Yours” is counted in on the sticks of drummer George. The staccato playing pulses as Madison ‘croons’ into her microphone. The guitar riffs are big and the Hammond esque sounds from the keys swirl around the stage. Plenty of cymbal crashes add to the sound stage as it sweeps across the crowd.
The vintage sounding Hammond raises its swirling head again as Madison introduces the slide driven number, “The River,” sadly the crowd decide they are going to chat amongst themselves as she gives the song some back story, something that she has done for each song. The drum groove is almost native American in style, locked into the drone of the Hammond. There is no bass guitar and the night is none the worse for it. “The River” picks up the pace, it’s got all the ingredients of an upbeat folk-rock tune, during the chorus , I look around and there’s people in the crowd who are actually getting it, they are mouthin’ the words and tapping their feet. Once again, the audience respond with enthusiastic applause.
Madison encourages the crowd to singalong to “Devil at My Door,” The back story about this song is it being about her best friend being dumped by some ‘dude’, and how she handled the fact and didn’t go all bunny boiler on him, she jokes, Galloway’s likable persona make her someone that grabs the crowd’s attention. This one races along, before she once again introduces her band of Nik Hurst on Keys and London’s George Love on Drums. A screaming guitar picks the song up again, her way of showing that she can drop in some guitar aerobatics. The pre-practiced “Whoah’s” go down well with a good proportion of the crowd actually joining in to help bring the song down.
The keys drone a churchlike sound as Madison promotes the album and merch.
Madison said she’s going to play something from a band that she loves, it turns out to be a cover of The Black Crowes’ “She Talks to Angels,” dedicating it to those going through hard times. Her powerful vocals and heartfelt delivery give this song and her kudos. I have to be honest and say I would have preferred Jefferson Airplanes, “White Rabbit, a cover on her latest album.
For the set closer, Madison finishes with “Open Your Eyes,” a song that leaves the crowd with something to think about . The uplifting lyrics and driving rhythm bring the night to a triumphant close. The crowd, once again erupt in cheers and applause, clearly ,they have enjoyed the set from this petite Canadian.
Madison’s easy ability to connect with the audience through her music, combined with her impressive talent, have made it a great opening set. As she continues to carve out her place in the music world, Madison’s star is undoubtedly on the rise. If you get the chance to see her live, don’t miss it—she’s a true gem from the Canadian music scene and worthy a couple of hours of your time.
As Madison and her band quickly clear their shizzle from the stage, Chris Medhurst appears, his curly locks flowing as helps to get things set up. We’re in for a quick change around her, no doubt.
Medhurst and the band finally take up their place, he says “This is a Rock n Roll venue so let’s get right into it”. The dirty, nay sleazy guitars riff out as we launch into “Shake You Off.” A great, hard-hitting romp, Citrullo is wandering his patch, his guitar is nasty sounding as he throws out the licks. “Who Are You” continues the high energy delivery. Adam Cannon is sat at the back beaming away as he rattles the cymbals and beats the hell out of the skins on his drum kit. Niles Evan Branagh, denim cap in place is swirling around on the keys filling in the gaps with evocative efficiency. Ben Spiller, denim shirt open revealing a clean white vest is spirited, his vivacious moves, on occasion bring his headstock close to Medhurst’s head.
A shout out to Madison and an enquiry as to who’s seen a Commoners show before is called out before a Nasty slide guitar fills the room, Cannon builds the meaty drum beat as we go into “Devil Teasin’ Me” the third from the latest album,“Restless.” The band have warmed up now, the guitar is sounding at times very Allman brothers as the backline are sending seismic waves of concussion through the very foundations as they rock out. The tune finishes as it started with Cannon crashing around the kit, he adds “it’s a sweaty mess up here”.
“Body and Soul” continues the sleazy blues onslaught, albeit at a slightly lower tempo with its slight nod to a more psychedelic vibe. The energy, however, is overflowing, especially from Medhurst’s pores as he sweats profusely, he has a Gibson towel covering his pedalboard screen soaking up the monsoon that is falling on it. The trippy guitar from Citrullo is stunning, he has a ‘bored’ look about him as he knocks it, hauntingly, out of the park, this is The Commoners on fire, dripping with laid back sleaze and attitude, it conjures up images of floating hippy’s passing the ‘nail’ around, heads nodding. It’s one of my favourites from the new album. The fat, delayed, lazy guitar, sound is to die for, love it! Citrullo you is da man!
With a plug for the new album, from Cannon, Medhurst joins in saying he sweated just as much in the vocal booth whilst recording the album as he is now, Cannon retorts “I want a piece of his sweat”, there’s brief banter about bottling sweat, Medhurst says that we all will be going home covered in his sweat anyways, much to the crowd’s amusement. Continuing with the new album “Too Soon To Know You” has the band locked in tight to this slide driven bluesy ballad. The heads are nodding along in the crowd, at least, the crowd chatting has died down. Smoke has started to fill the stage, the blues and reds back lighting Medhurst, as, eyes closed, his raspy voice speaks for itself.
The new albums title track “Restless”, is up next, again there is the much needed merch plug beforehand. Cannon says this is the first song Medhurst showed him when they got back from the last tour. It’s another gritty slide triumph, the slide, almost whale-song like, pierces through Medhurst’s emotive lyrical delivery. This one is going to be hard to beat, but Cannon introduces the single “See You Again,” the bands tribute to Cannons father who passed away while the band were on tour with Troy Redfern in April 2023. I remember being at the Asylum gig, Birmingham when the band announced it. Cannon dedicates it to everyone who’s lost someone close. Acoustic seems the only way to give this song the respect it deserves. You could hear a pin drop as Medhurst sings the heartfelt lyrics.
The band join in, restrained and respectful, the Hammond organ of Branagh swirls around, squeezing everyone tight, as Citrullo adds a haunting slide to the mix. A great tune that has the hairs standing on my arms as I stand listening with eyes closed. It receives a great response from the crowd and rightly so, RIP Adams dad.
We now get a brief trip away from the new album, back to 2022’s “Find A Better Way” and “Deadlines.” Branagh, once again, gives it some on the piano as he brings the song alive, Cannon has some open hi-hat going on marking time as the band join in with a flurry before settling into this slightly more up-tempo number.
Medhurst says this next song is a self-reflection, not so much about being an ass hole but more about feeling that you’re not enough. The bluesy riff of “The Way I am” thrusts forward with all the subtly of a runaway express train. It’s a rockier number that has Spiller dancing around in his tight spot in front of the keys. Citrullo screams out another juicy solo as if it’s nothing, there’s a tasting run up the neck included, which shines out.
“I lived with this man for about a decade”, Medhurst motions towards bassist Ben Spiller, continuing, he says “I don’t know how we are still here.” He goes on to mention that Ben wrote this one when they got back from tour. It’s a balls out rock n roller, he adds, “I hope you brought your dancing shoes.” It’s called “Gone Without Warning” and its full of huge riffs and a blistering Medhurst vocal. The concussive backline propel this one along at, you guessed it, breakneck speed, Cannon is “Animal” like as he hits everything in turn, grooving like everyone’s favourite Muppet drummer. Citrullo has donned some fast fingers for this as he smokes the neck of his Gibson. The crowd clearly love it as the applause fills the room as it finishes.
A quick count in and the Hammond takes over once again, swirling like the smoke on stage, the drums and guitar join in as we get an instrumental lead into the 12-bar blues yomp, “Yer Blues” a song written partly as a parody by Lennon of the Beatles as a response to the press critics, in 1968 amidst the British Blues Boom, intimating that White men can’t sing the blues. Jumping forward to 2024, its now all to obvious that they can.
Finishing the set off we get a brace from the 2022 album. The first of them is “Fill My Cup.” another hearty banger with a great lyric from Medhurst. The Hammond swells and fills the room with its warm sound while Medhurst and Citrullo provide the guitar, well when Medhurst isn’t hand gesturing whilst he sings, the sweat dripping from his face as he does so.
The song is full of light and shade, thundering crescendos and scintillating guitar work during the extended breakdown. The guitars meet up stage centre to riff out an inspiring lick or two before Citrullo, crouching down takes it to another level. “Find A Better Way” continues the filthy blues riffs. The heat is flooding from Medhurst as he quickly takes the guitar off and sets about this last song of the set. He’s bouncing around, there’s a bit of Stevie from Bad Touch about him as he does so. The band, tight and on point provide the backing vocals were needed. The Keys of Branagh take over as Cannon thumps around the kit, locked in tight with the rumbling bass of Spiller. This has been a sublime set, relaxed and musical perfection. Citrullo continues to rip the hell out of this Gibson of choice, posing it like Slash on occasions as he riffs along. The song finally concludes after an extended solo. The crowd naturally show their appreciation once again.
The band quickly take their leave of the smoky stage only to return after calls for more. We’re treated to a rousing finale of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Dave Mason’s cover “Feelin’ Alright.” This is a riot of a tune to finish on. It’s ramped up and given the full on “The Commoners” touch. Full of attitude and grit. It’s big and bluesy and lets everyone know that these talented Canadian boys have plenty more in the back. They destroy the small room in KK’s, the crowd enjoying every moment of the set. As they finish off, they tell us they’ll be out there at the merch so come say hi. At which point Medhurst is on his way, taking the time to chat to any and every-one wanting a piece of him and his sweat.
The Commoners, part way through their first headline U.K. have nailed it. I’ve seen them on both the previous tours with Troy Redfern (April ’23) and later with Sam Fish and Jesse Dayton (Oct ’23) and hand on heart, this is the best I’ve seen them. It might have something to do with not being encumbered by a big name as headliner or the fact they have the stunning new album, Restless, out. Either way these Canadians kick some serious ass. If you like your Blues doused in Rock n Roll petrol and set on fire then get this band on your bucket list, you won’t be disappointed, oh and grab the album it’s a doozy!