Voodoo Kings – The Gatehouse Pub – 30 August 2020
by Pete Clemons
This was my second post lockdown gig. And, yet again, it was to see The Voodoo Kings at The Gatehouse Tavern. And, in a sense, it was a case of deja vu.
Clearly the first gig I attended on 2 August went off without a hitch as I am still here to tell the tale. And so, I noticed, were several of the audience members. To be fair, I have not been phased. Distancing has been taken seriously as has the track and trace system. And, the audience has remained seated throughout, apart from when replenishing drinks.
One of the great things about these gigs is that they feel like a step back to normality again. For me, and I am guessing for many others, nothing beats the live experience of music. And again, like many, I have been desperate for the return of it.
Once more the Kings pulled in a sell out 'pre booked - table only' crowd and again, despite the odd threatening cloud, they also managed to pull in a decent bit of sunshine for this bank holiday weekend shindig.
Musically, and after a few technical issues, the guys burst into Mystery Train. This was exactly the same start we had a couple of weeks previously. But The Voodoo Kings are a joy. And their attempts to take you back in time with their skiffle cum rockabilly style is a delight to hear.
Dimples, from their latest album release, was next up. But this time, rather than perform the new album almost verbatim, the audience were treated to it spread across the bands two sets. As well as a wide selection of the bands wider repertoire thrown in.
Unfortunately the future of live music in the UK remains in the balance. The music industry is on its knees right now and needs to find ways to adapt to the current restrictions. One promoter in Newcastle has come up with the idea of podiums to ensure social distances are maintained. And I notice that particular venue is now being used on a regular basis.
I have also read that it is a race against time as to what goes first. The live music scene imploding or emerging technologies stepping in and taking over. For me, I dearly hope the situation we find ourselves in, is only temporary. But for now, I am enjoying what we are being offered.
Voodoo Kings – The Gatehouse Pub - 2 August 2020
It doesn't need me to remind everyone of the problems this pandemic has brought. Each and everyone of us has been affected by it one way or other.
But as lockdown eases the restrictions, one sector still struggling with no real sign of let up, is that of music and entertainment.
How people, like musicians – who just want to get out there and entertain - feel right now, I just cannot imagine. It must be so frustrating for them. So it was just wonderful to see the return of live music in Coventry. For some of them, it is their only source of income.
And the band to dip their collective toe into these uncharted waters were the Voodoo Kings when they appeared in the garden area of The Gatehouse Tavern. And fortune favours the brave as the weather was just perfect for the occasion. Strict rules were in place such as the pre-booking of tables, in order to reserve your spot and table service for the purchasing of drinks was advertised as readily available. But I didn't see much of that.
There was also a test and trace facility running. And rather than sign an open piece of paper, you filled in a slip and put that into a box for added privacy.
From Siouxsie and the Banshees to The Cramps tee shirts, it was clear that a good few of Coventry's rockabilly family had gathered to honour these 1950s revivalists. Pompadour, swept back hair, and kerchiefs were the order of the day at this rear garden oasis that, you tend to forget, sits right on the edge the ring road.
A line up of Dave West (guitar, vocals), Sam Smith (bass, vocals) and Terry Downes (cajon box, vocals) are not only celebrating the fact they are being allowed to cut loose again but also that they have their new album ready to go.
Before a note was played a few ground rules were issued including 'was there anyone here from Leicester' which did make me smile.
Mystery Train opened the proceedings followed by the title track of the last Voodoo Kings album, Systems Green. After a few more tunes, along with a bit of tweaking of equipment, the band appeared to have hit their stride.
Dave West then announces that the Voodoo Kings were now going to perform, in its entirety, their new album 'Rollin'. It appears that getting this record out seems to have brought its own problems having been in production for the greater part of this most difficult of years.
The album, a mix of original and cover versions, opens with Davy Jones and continues with tunes such as I'm Not Blind, A Picture of You, Rollin, Delta Storm and Streamline Train which wraps up the first set. It really was a wonderful hour or so. Although the next few days will confirm otherwise, all was comfortable and we came away thinking the event had run very well.
Make no mistake, these were only tiny steps and there is still a mountain to climb in order to get live music back to pre pandemic levels. This is possibly the best it will get for a while to come. But this was a very welcome start.
Just this weekend it was announced that we may be at the limits of the easing of lockdown. But, I won't pretend, it felt great to see and hear live music once again, albeit in a more controlled environment. And, as importantly, it must have been equally as good, if not better, for the musicians involved to be flexing those fingers again.
Incredibly this Voodoo Kings gig was a free event. So at the very least, if you are able to, please support guys like these by checking out their merchandise and maybe purchasing a tee shirt or a CD.
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