When Rivers Meet and the “Breaker Of Chains Tour” 2023

When Rivers Meet – Breaking the Blues Chains in Brighton!

When you put four incredibly talented Blues musicians on one stage something magical happens! When two of those musicians are husband and wife dream team Grace and Aaron Bond, then that magic is in a whole new dimension. When Rivers Meet took to the stage at Komedia, Brighton to an eruption of excited applause and launched into their first song, their new single “Play My Game” from their new album “Aces Are High”, (their hotly anticipated new album due for release this Summer) it was plain to see just why they have recently been crowned Blues Band of the Year at the UK Blues awards for the third year running. The band have now clearly earned their place as Blues Royalty, finally getting the recognition that they deserve. “Play My Game”, is full of killer Blues riffs and a contagious energy, a badass track with undertones of funk and Graces signature searing vocal which demonstrates perfectly how When Rivers Meet are one of those rare bands who actually sound even better live than on their albums and that’s saying something!

The name of this tour is very apt because as well as playing many of their much loved Blues classics, with their new material this band are pushing boundaries and breaking away from that familiar classic Blues sound into something harder and louder, a punchier Blues Rock sound with wailing guitars, pounding drums and powerful yet velvet vocals. An eclectic Blues Rock highbred of sorts and the audience absolutely loved it!!  You could literally feel the pulsing excitement surging through the auditorium, ladies and gentleman, When Rivers Meet have arrived!

But a When Rivers Meet gig is so much more than a night of great Blues music, for the audience it felt like a very intimate experience. There’s an incredible chemistry between Grace and Aaron that really shone through, a warmth and tenderness that the audience were privy to, like looking behind closed doors, something unique and beautiful.

Support came from the immensely talented Arielle, a singer songwriter hailing from Austin, Texas and a woman who sings to her own tune in every sense! Arielle lit up the stage with her eclectic 70’s retro style and soul baring lyrics, with a beautifully pure voice and uber cool southern vibe, and you just knew, from the onset that this was going to be one hell of a show!

After the release of their first EP “The Uprising” in 2019, the band went on to release another EP, “The Innocence Of Youth” followed by three further studio albums, including the critically acclaimed “We Fly Free”, which contains one of their biggest hits “If I Break The Law”, with their unique and diverse Blues sound, they quickly gained the attention of the music industry and Blues lovers alike. They went on to build a vast and devoted fan base, many of whom were there tonight. When Rivers Meet crowd funded for their last album, it’s easy to see why their fans obliged. This band showed an obvious affection and appreciation for their fans and it’s easy to see just why their fans are just so supportive!

With Grace Bond on vocals, mandolin and violin, Aaron Bond on vocals and guitar and support from Adam Bowers (producer of their last album) on bass guitar and James Fox on drums, this band are as tight as it gets. There seemed to be no end to their musical ability as they worked through an array of musical instruments from the violin to the trumpet and pretty much everything else in between! The audience were captivated, hanging on every rich Blues note and sexy guitar lick as they journeyed through much of their much-loved back catalogue together with their new material.

After a storming start to the show and words of appreciation to the audience, the band launched into their big hit, “Never Coming Home”, from their hugely successful album “Saving Grace”. With its hypnotic slide guitar and catchy melody that beautifully showcased their individual writing style. Then it was onto another massive hit, with the crowd pleaser, “Did I Break The Law”. A song that gave the band the much deserved radio play which elevated them to the next level and made them a household name. A thrilling strutting track with stonking slide guitar and Graces scorching vocals.

“Take Me To The River” where Aaron took lead vocal is a balls to the wall rocky Blues track where Grace slid up and down the fretboard of the mandolin like it was on fire taking this track to a whole new level! “We Fly Free” followed where Aaron took lead vocals once again. This track is packed full of that pure Blues ‘When Rivers Meet’ sound with its blistering slide guitar and catchy licks.

“I Will Fight”, started with Graces mesmerizing vocal and at a slower melodic pace before opening up to a bleeding guitar sound. This track just oozes emotion and speaks straight to the heart.  “Do You Remember My Name” with its cigar box guitar is a song all about love, deceit and heartbreak and is sizzling in its complexity and depth. Then it was onto “Battleground” with its dirty Blues sound and Grace’s formidable voice, it has a unique and contagious energy that drew the audience in and had them hanging onto every perfectly orchestrated note. Next up was “My Babe Says He Loves Me”, a rocking track with a pounding drum beat. “Free Man” and “Like What You See” were next and then onto “Breaker Of Chains”, the track after which the tour is named. Grace and Aaron’s voices worked together here to create an exquisite sound that was complimented beautifully by Graces mandolin.  “Shoot The Breeze” and “Talking In My Sleep” followed. Then it was onto “Perfect Stranger” and “Testify” a soulful number that transported the audience back to a church in the Southern Bible Belt with its stirring lyrics and retro vibe, and the beautiful addition of Grace’s singing violin, and then they played their final track of the set “Lost And Found” much to the delight of the crowd.

When the band left the stage, the energy within the auditorium was electric and the crowd were shouting for more! And they were not left disappointed as When Rivers Meet returned to the stage mere moments later, they played a dynamic three song encore of, “Tomorrow”, “Make A Grown Man Cry” and “Want Your Love” and it’s was a rap!

So perhaps the final question has to be, will 2024 be the year that When Rivers Meet are crowned UK Blues Band of The Year for the fourth year running? I think if tonight’s performance is anything to go by then it’s a done deal!

Setlist:

Play My Game
Never Coming Home
Did I Break The Law
Take Me To The River
I Will Fight
Do You Remember My Name
Battleground
My babe Says He Loves Me
Free Man
Like What You See
Breaker Of Chains
Shoot The Breeze
Talking In My Sleep
Perfect Stranger
Testify
Lost And Found

Encore

Tomorrow
Make A Grown Man Cry
Want Your Love

Words and photos by Louise Phillips

When Rivers Meet are touring extensively over the coming months playing their own gigs and festivals too! For tickets and information please see their website:

whenriversmeet.co.uk

 

 

Photos of Arielle