Photo credit: @neodraconian
Words: Alaina Henderson
The Fleece and Firkin in Bristol should change its name to the Funk and Firkin tonight, as the sold out crowd gets a high voltage injection of blues-groove from the fret-fumbling guitar mastermind Philip Sayce.
Up first to warm proceedings is Troy Redfern, a singer, songwriter and guitarist who knows his way around a slide. Acknowledging the fact that the room is filled with guitar nerds, he keeps the chat short and the music coming. This really is a quick masterclass in raw technique, influences worn-on-sleeve mixed with a uniqueness that is the heartbeat of the performance.
Philip is up next and dives straight in with his signature moves on his well-worn Fender – including employing the structural pillar on stage to help with his strumming. There’s no denying he is in any doubt that his shows are all about the guitar, so he lets it do all the talking. Judging by the sounds of absolute awe that are audible all around, it’s working. Anecdotes in between songs include the fact that he has Aberystwyth on his passport as his place of birth – not that far from Bristol – and then launches into the namesake song from his album Steamroller.
He mixes old and new, with tracks from his upcoming release The Wolves Are Coming like Oh! That Bitches Brew, allowing his Hendrix / Stevie Ray styles to shine through. Sometimes abandoning the microphone altogether, favouring letting his euphonious tones work their magic by projection alone – it’s a magical thing to witness.
A highlight of the set includes a rare cover from Albert King As The Years Go Passing By, which is mesmerising. Speaking of which, it’s been too many years since Philip last played in this city; and while that only added to the excitement in anticipation of the evening, here’s hoping for another show very soon.
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