The Cadillac Three / Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown

The Junction, Cambridge on Mon 7th Nov 2016

A huge queue has already formed by the time I approach The Junction in Cambridge. The brave souls stood outside on this chilly November night are here for a night of southern rock at the hands of Tennessee's The Cadillac Three. With the genre at its most popular in years thanks to the likes of Black Stone Cherry and Blackberry Smoke, the UK has taken The Cadillac Three to heart. Every time they visit, the shows get bigger and tonight's show is a sell out.

The venue is already full when tonight's support band Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown take to the stage a full hour after the doors open. This is another group that's been making a name for themselves with mammoth recent support slots opening for the likes of AC/DC and Guns N' Roses. Tonight they get a generous 45 minute opening slot and boy do they make the most of it. It's an accomplished performance that showcases not just Bryant's talent but the group's as a unit. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on; as I have a feeling we will be hearing much more from them in the future.

The Cadillac Three have followed up their brilliant 2012 self-titled debut album with the solid 'Bury Me In My Boots'. This follows along the same lines as its predecessor and the set list tonight is a seamless blend of the two. The show begins with the first two songs from the new album in title track 'Bury Me In My Boots' and 'Slide'. Another new song 'Soundtrack To A Six Pack' follows before older numbers 'Tennessee Mojo', 'Back It Up' and 'I'm Southern' get the crowd really moving.

As well as having two decent records in the bank, The Cadillac Three have spent recent years solidifying a reputation as a great live band. The band delivered a short but sweet set at this summer's Ramblin' Man Fair but with headline shows like tonight's they get to expand the set list and give the fans more bang for their money. 'Party Like You', 'Buzzin', 'Runnin' Red Lights' and 'Graffiti' all keep the flow going before 'Peace Love & Dixie' garners one of the best reactions of the evening.

The main set tonight is brought to a close by the run of 'Life', 'Down To The River' and 'Days Of Gold', which leaves the sell out crowd begging for more. Of course they aren't let down as not just The Cadillac Three but also Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown return for a rousing cover of Tom Petty's 'Honey Bee' to the delight of those in attendance.

Tonight has been the sort of evening that The Cadillac Three have become known for delivering, packed with great music mixed with in between song chatter from singer Jaren Johnston. Johnston states towards the end that if the fans keep coming then they will keep coming back, and when they end with the excellent combination of 'White Lightning' and 'The South' there's no reason to think that this will not be the case. 

article by: Paul Barnes

photos by: Denis Gorbatov

published: 09/11/2016 09:58



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