While arena and stadium shows continue to surprise with buoyant ticket sales despite some truly eye-watering prices, the pressure on the survival of grass roots venues and bands remains a real concern. The UK lost over 120 live music venues in 2023 alone and we’re reminded often of the old adage use it or lose it. Well, tonight at the Lamp Tavern in Dudley you’d be hard pressed to find a better argument for going out and supporting the smaller bands in your local venues. The atmosphere and experience offered up by Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse is second to none and one that you’d never get at an arena show.
The final date of their short run of UK dates promoting new album Hot Nostalgia Radio, their third studio offering, sees the band in a relaxed and carefree mood. Right from the off Greta Valenti declares that they have done away with a setlist and they’ll play whatever the mood takes them, and with that they kick off the slow blues of ‘Heartbreaker’. ‘Middle Of The Night’ follows with the swing of a New Orleans jazz band and when Greta Valenti sings “got the music playing and we’re feelin’ good” you can’t help but feel audience and band are all at the same party and thoroughly invested in having a good time. ‘Trouble Is Coming’ heads back to raw blues territory and its extended jam allows guitarist Robin Davey to stretch out.
Ruzz ‘Guitar’ Evans stands in as a guest on a couple of songs with some notable guitar licks being traded between Robin and Ruzz on the rhythm and blues of ‘I Told My Baby’. After a heartfelt cover of Springsteen’s ‘I’m On Fire’ and the ballad ‘Baby Baby’ Robin takes a moment to thank Planet Rock as their new single is currently one of the most played songs on the station. The three singles from the new album follow with the perfect punk-rock-pop of ‘Oh Yeah’, the riff-tastic classic rock of ‘Satisfy Your Queen’ and a raucous ‘Wild Woman’ that has Greta venturing to the back of the venue to dance and drink on the bar. In fact she makes several forays into the sold out crowd during the set singing, dancing and gifting bead necklesses, so whether you were at the front or stuck at the back it seems that there were moments when she was performing just to you. You couldn’t ask for a more up close and intimate show.
With its delicate keys provided by Emma Jonson, ‘Runaway’ is a beautiful ballad, the kind that could easily transcend from sweaty club to arena favourite or movie soundtrack. Russ joins again for another song which he doesn’t seem to be familiar with but as soon as he finds the key, picks up and runs with it. Similarly, an impromptu decision to play AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’ seems to take Robin by surprise. “These guys know it” Greta says motioning to Kev Hickman and Charlie Rachael Kay “so let’s just do it”. This then leads into a joyous set closer of ‘What’s My Name’ which has the crowd singing along and joining in on the chorus.
Little encouragement is needed, but plenty is given and the band find the energy for a two song encore with the first being the Cajun inspired ‘Mama Cray’ drawing on Valenti’s Louisiana roots followed by the short sharp shock of ‘Gris Gris’. A quick look at the watch tells me they’ve been on stage for 2 hours and 20 minutes; a thrilling set full of energy where the enjoyment masked the passing of time. At the end of the night I left feeling privileged to have witnessed such an incredible band in an intimate venue.
