Music > Live Reviews

Tom Meighan

EPIC Studios

15/04/23

So, is Tom Meighan back from the brink then with his ‘The Reckoning Tour? He has certainly had some real low moments in recent years around the time of his rather acrimonious departure from Kasabian back in 2020.

The show immediately bursts into life as soon as he enters the stage at Epic Studios, why? Well because we are all so very pleased to see him, he is looking in great shape and he’s clearly up for it as much as we are. “Come on you fucking Canaries, let’s hear you”, and with that the show is already on full throttle and we are only a couple of songs in, and that’s just how it rolls for the next hour and a half.

He starts proceedings with new song, Shout It Out and it goes down an absolute storm. Its swiftly followed by Underdog and everyone is quite literally swept up in it all and lost in the moment as soon as it’s unleashed upon us, it’s a very uplifting moment to see him enjoying himself so much. As it concludes he’s singing as if he really means business, just like he always did as he yells, “Keep myself riding on this train”.

The other new tracks from his debut solo album of the same name as the tour, also come across very well indeed, with some on the point, poignant lyrics. Acrobat, Scared, Rise, Would You Mind and Movin’ On are all up there and as good as anything that he has previously wrapped his vocal chords around during the past two decades or so and the audience duly acknowledge the quality of these new songs, giving them and Meighan the respect that they and he deserve.

Of course, the classic tracks from his previous band shine extremely bright and help to stir up plenty of energy, emotion and nostalgia and this felt extremely good for all involved here this evening.

III Ray (The King) and Empire are smashed right out of the park, and then as L.S.F (Lost Souls Forever) starts to roll its pandemonium out there on the floor, everyone is having just such a great time, singing at the top of their voices, his coat is dispatched and the shades are on and he is having it XXL.

Club Foot soon follows on, and the atmosphere is by now through the roof, the singalong is in full flow. He closes with the classic track that is Fire and its literally white hot in here right now in the Epic Studio’s.

A special shout out must also go to the fabulous band that he has assembled, they’re a real mix of all ages and they all work their socks off, each and every one of them.
The Gallagher brothers have long proven that out of unamicable splits come two great artists / bands and the same could be said for Meighan’s old band mates and his own very early career, as messy and challenging as it’s been, it’s time to rise and Tom Meighan has risen.
He is a terrific front man, show man, singer, and leader that’s now forging his own solo career path, taking on more responsibility undoubtedly in the process as this really is his band and he has owned it tonight.

The future is looking extremely bright. It has been a real pleasure to see him in a smaller venue than what he will have been more used to in his latter Kasabian days and so it was very important that we all made the most of it.

Everyone is going home with big wide smiles on their faces. It’s been great to have him back here on what has been a very magical evening. He is quite literally on fire, good work young man, keep looking forward. In the name of rock and roll, you smashed it.

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