Blues Pills

I went to see Blues Pills a couple of nights ago - 31 August 2015.
I drove 100 miles to Belfast to see them in a very small venue, Limelight 2.
They were worth every mile and penny I spent to see them, such is their talent and pure energy and enthusiasm onstage.
Now I am not some young easily impressed new concert goer - on the contrary, I have been going to rock gigs for almost 40 years, and I have been to see the very cream of famous rock bands in those years Led Zeppelin in 1979, Pink Floyd in 1980, Rolling Stones in 1982, Deep Purple, you get the picture I've witnessed a lot of talent and quality over the decades.
Blues Pills have that raw quality and talent that will only grow and improve in the coming years.
On stage they are a presence to witness, and each has their own place and part in the band.
Guitarist Dorian Sorriaux - dead pan and intense he barely cracks his face and is not very physically energetic onstage, but boy can this young fellow play!! There are more technically capable players out there possibly but he puts a lot of thought and focus into his playing and never missed a note all through the set, excellent performance that just exudes talent and enthusiasm.

Drummer Andre Kvamstrom - from that basic looking kit this man is able to get a huge sound, as good as I've heard anywhere, and ranges from gentle rhythm to super hard skin bashing, and all with perfect feel and timing. Again impressive.

Bassist Zach Anderson - loks cool and laid back but that bass is belting out solid and pinpoint accurate bass lines filling in beautifully for a missing rhythm guitar that is present in the studio, even as harmony guitar in some segments. A tough call for any musician and this man can make that Gibson almost sing along, the mark of a talented bassist, often the most underrated member of any band, but a good bassist is the real backbone of a band and are hard to find. Again a superb performance throughout.

Singer Elin Larsson - this woman has such a powerful voice and range. From soft and soulful, almost Adele like to my ear, to out and out power singing up there with the best of rock singers. She is the most physically energetic constantly on the move with the long hair flailing about, giving her a really dynamic stage presence. When the instrumental passages are in full flow, she picks up the tambourine (and it can be heard over the amplified instruments) and gave it a good work out adding greatly to the look and sound of the band. And that ever present smile, she looks like she is really enjoying herself up there, and interacts well with the audience too. Yet again a superb and thoroughly enjoyable performance.

I can thoroughly recommend this band for anyone to spend some of their hard earned and go see. Catch them soon because if they carry on at this rate they will only grow in following and tickets for their performances will become hard to get items.

As I mentioned at the start of this review, I have seen the very best that rock has to offer and this band, for me are every bit as good as any of them and well worth the time.
I hope my review prompts more people to buy their album and go see them. If you do you are in for a real treat - trust me a hardened, life long gig goer.

Having happened upon Blues Pills via a random Deezer recommendation, I had no hesitation in purchasing tickets to see them on their current UK support slot with Black Star Riders.

So at the glamorous location that is Hull University Union 4 long haired young Swedish men looking like an advert for a 70's retro outfitters amble onto stage and tune up.

Shortly afterwards Elin Larsson joins them and a 30+ min support slot of power, blues, and a muso's wet dream of technicality, muscianship and down right bombast wins over a very partisan Black Star Riders crowd.

Most definitely a throwback to when music was free of commercial restraint and it was all about damn good vibes and soul/blues filled incantations.

Elin is at times soulful and at others balls out blues mama - such an old voice in one so young. Dorian Sorriaux plays intricate riffs, solos and layered up melodies in a zen like state. Indeed, having listened to their recorded stuff it was easy to imagine the complexity of the guitars were simply layered up in the studio but. boy, this man played that complexity in real time, live.

Rounded out with a Bonham-esque André Kvarnström on drums, Zack Andersson on bass and Rickard Nygren blasting out Hammond keys melodies like his life depended on it you have a na amazingly tight 5 piece that turns the muscial clock back to the 60s/70s in that Led Zep haze of free love and audacious musical journeys.

Covering current and past tunes alike we got, in no particular order, Lady in Gold, High Class Woman, Black Smoke and Devil Man along with some wonderful jamming. Key moment for winning over the crowd goes to the inspired choice to play Jefferson Airplane cover, Somebody to Love.

Many fans are raving these are the best live act in the world right now. I'd certainly put them up there and I very much look forward to my next does of Blues Pills medication.

Blues Pills have all the x-factors that can possible be crammed together in four piece. An extremely talented singer, an extraordinary good guitarist, a bass player that would make Geezer Butler proud and a drummer that hit the cans like Ginger Baker and John Bonham.

If you are in for a nostalgia trip, but still need some fresh and youthful tunes and energy this is the band for you. The songs are well thought through and contain all the dynamic elements that are usually forgotten by other retro oriented bands. There are chilling breaks, quiet intros, progressions, wonderful vocal and guitar solos in almost every song.

The show in Oslo was an absolute success. The support bands were OK, but yes, they lacks the sort of vision and dynamic elements found in Blues Pills arsenal. Next time: Bring some of your Swedish peers. The main band delivered a hell of a concert, despite that there is not more than one LP in circulation. The audience seem to respond well and as usual (I have been told) parts of the male audience were screaming their eagerness to marry the beautiful Swedish vocalist.

As a surprise Blues Pills threw in a Tony Joe White cover towards the end of the set. That was the second Tony Joe White tune this evening. Polk Salad Annie was covered by one of the support bands earlier in the evening. What a day for Tony.

Excellent night. Openers were Stray Train fellow Swede rockers who were fairly decent and a good warm up. Second support act Kadavar had pulled out due to the lead singer being ill but that did not really spoil the enjoyments as the stage crew began setting up Blues Pills' gear. They flew on to the stage to a huge roar and immediately blasted out 'Lady in Gold' (title track from the most recent album). this was followed by more new tracks before pulling a few older (1st album tracks) out for the loyal fans. Lead singer Elin was continuously bouncing around the stage and when she sung the sound and power were amazing. Similarly the skills with the bands instruments was astounding (lead guitarist Dorian continually shredding where he was allowed). A brilliant night with an exceptional band who deserve to be heard by all lovers of classic/prog/phych rock. Highly recommended.

Hi guys,

Blues Pills were awesome in Zurich! Great live , great energy, great band! Morevover, Mascotte is a nice place for this kind of live concerts!
I can marry Elin anytime :)
Do not miss them when they are in town!

Enjoy!

Grate band and one of the best front women ( Elin Larsson) I have seen and heard since lizzy hale of halestrom. Dorian sorriaux on lead guitar was amazing to hear. Over all excellent night had by all.

It was a really good concert! The sound was good overall, the band performed great with lots of energy, the audience was totally following, and the venue/organisation didn't have any problems.

Simply awesome it was a psychedelic treat for the whole body! Great gig from start to finish. And the support band Pearl Harts & Raven eye were a great line up accomplishment