Live Review: Toby Jepson - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
8th June 2024
Support: Pete K Mally and Connor Emms
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
The greatest venue in the West Midlands, KK’s Steel Mill, played host to Toby Jepson and his "My Life In Words - Live Acoustic" tour. Delivering an intimate and engaging performance that showcased his extensive career in rock music. Accompanied by "Big Bad" Dave Kemp, Toby offered a night of acoustic renditions of his classic hits, interspersed with stories from his storied career and answering questions from his dedicated fans.
The evening began with an acoustic set by Connor Emms from the band New Saints. Emms captivated the audience with a stripped-down performance of songs from his band's repertoire, including the likes of ‘Resonate’, ‘No Tomorrow’ and ‘Last Man Standing’.
Emms' performance was heartfelt and raw, setting the perfect tone for the evening. His acoustic interpretations brought a new depth to the New Saints material, highlighting his vocal talent and songwriting skills.
Following Emms, comedian Pete K Mally took the stage for a standard comedy routine. Mally's humour was well-received, providing a light-hearted interlude that balanced the musical performances. His sharp wit and engaging delivery had the audience laughing and served as a refreshing change of pace before the main act. The interactive session, including getting audience members to text the best swear words to a random phone number, was genius and kept the crowd engaged through out.
Toby Jepson's set was a journey through his musical career, featuring songs from his time with Little Angels, Wayward Sons, and his solo work. His acoustic arrangements, paired with Kemp's skilful accompaniment, offered a fresh take on familiar tracks.
The opening tracks of ‘Young Gods (Stand Up, Stand Up)’ and ‘Big Bad World’ immediately energized the audience, setting a high bar for the rest of the show. Whilst ‘Shadow Boxing’ and ‘Unwind’ showcased Jepson's versatility and ability to convey emotion through his music.
The crowd asking questions alongside Toby’s stories are scattered the set, allowing engagement from his dedicated following. Much as his Planet Rock radio monologues are themselves pieces of art, his story telling in the live arena matched his reputation. His advice to up and coming bands of “When someone tells you ‘I’ll make you a star’ tell them to fuck off” brought a lot of laughs as is resonated so true.
Closing out with Little Angels classics ‘Kickin' Up Dust’ and ‘Too Much Too Young’ had the room dancing through the sheer joy of the music. Toby provided an evenings entertainment that was as engaging and it was mesmerising. A wonderful Saturday night out at the West Midlands leading music venue.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
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