“We’re from Nashville Tennessee, that’s a long way from here”, vocalist Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three tells the sellout Tramshed crowd in Cardiff. They are here tonight as part of their The Years Go Fast tour, their sixth studio album released last year. Tomorrow they travel down the M4 to headline The Highways Festival at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The Cadillac Three are a southern rock band consisting of Jaren Johnston on guitar and vocals, Kelby Ray on steel guitar, guitar, and vocals and Neil Mason on drums and vocals. I overheard a fan explain how the band have evolved from their Country roots to a more rock style, and I have to admit, the vinyl I bought several years ago – Bury Me In My Boots – has more of a Country feel to it.
The Cadillac Three @ Tramshed, Cardiff
They are joined on this tour by Willy Cobb and his band as well as Stephen Wilson Jr., both acts hailing from the same area, both very different, but somehow complementing the show nicely tonight.
Opening act was Willy Cobb, a new act to me. Originally from Georgia, but now based in Nashville, his music was a cross between Grunge and Country, maybe throw in a little southern rock in too! As I was told tonight it was ‘Grock’, a made-up term perhaps, but it made for an interesting set if it was a little short. But with three acts in one evening it’s an understandable concession. I did like the upbeat and catchy Cigarettes Smell that he closed his set with.
Stephen Wilson Jr. follows next, for his set he is joined by Scotty Berry on steel guitar, together they make quite an impact, especially with their use of effects to enhance their music. He reminded everyone its Stephen with a “P H”, Wilson as in the volleyballs and Junior. I found his southern drawl interesting at times . His music was well received and he had the audience singing along with him. He has recently released an album Son Of Dad, I’m guessing it’s so called because he was brought up by a single father. The stand-out song from his set I thought was Year To Be Young In 1994, that tells the story of his life as it was thirty years ago. He told everyone he was coming back later in the year, I suspect there will be plenty along to see him.
A little after 9pm a voice booms out over the PA, introducing the band, as they launch into a set that lasted close to two hours. While they were promoting the new album, tonight’s setlist comprises much of their back catalogue that was absorbed by an enthusiastic audience tonight. The sounds was clear and crisp. Jaren reminded us this was the last night of the tour “we’ve all had a great time, all’s been well apart from Willy’s shoes” the mind boggles? But what a great into to Bury Me In My Boots, I couldn’t help but notice Jaren waving his plastic cup in the air at the end, but was it Whiskey in the cup? I guess we’ll never know. This was followed by a new song, Hillbilly from The Years Go Fast. By now the band and the crowd had become one voice singing enthusiastically Hard Out There For A Country Boy, this time from the Country Fuzz album.
The Cadillac Three @ Tramshed, Cardiff
While Jaren is seen as the frontman for the band, both Kelby and Neil stood up plenty of times to whip up audience further, not that they needed any encouragement to be fair, but it was great to see, nonetheless. Jaren is a fine frontman and took the lead to sing solo, a love song he told tonight’s concert goers as he played Running Red Lights singing “Baby I’m going crazy, running red lights to get to you” it was another song that had them all singing him in unison with power, but then what else would I expect from a Cardiff crowd? Welcoming Scotty Berry back as an extra steel guitar player at one point added a further dimension to their already fantastic sound. Before we knew it, the band ended with the phenomenal The South giving the assembled throng a chance to sing “This Is Where I was Born And This Is Where I’ll die”, well I guess Cardiff is in the South of Wales? But maybe not the south the song is referring to, but hey, never mind. There was no encore but along with the crowd singing, they brought out Stephen Wilson Jr. and Willy Cobb for a final rousing rendition of “This Is Where I Was Born, And This Is Where I’ll Die”. Though they might have been referring to their own journey, it translates wherever they go and Cardiff is no exception.
It had been a fabulous night of music, maybe something a little different to the type of gigs I normally go to, but then I enjoy most genres of music, this included. I’d also go as far as saying I think Stephen Wilson Jr. is also a fantastic talent and one to look out for in the future.
Live review and photography of The Cadillac Three @ Cardiff Tramshed by Sam Holt on 16th May 2024.
Share Thing