Live Review: These Wicked Rivers - The Asylum, Birmingham
7th December 2023
Support: The Karma Effect
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
It’s a wet and windy December evening in the second city, as droves of people flood in and out of the city; heading home from work or into the Christmas market. The rockers amongst us head to the Jewelry Quarter and The Asylum Venue. This evenings entertainment sees Derby rockers These Wicked Rivers take on the bitter cold with Londoners The Karma Effect on duty to warm the place up.
As the doors open and the fans flood in the venue sits drenched is smoke, a low red light illuminating the stage, which is adorned with drapes, a piano and numerous 80’s styled lamps and accompanying kitsch lamp shades.
Opening with the double whammy of ‘Wrong Again’ and ‘Mercy’, The Karma Effect are off to a rip roaring start. As ‘Doubt She’s Coming Back’ kicks in, so does the bands top gear. The energy levels rise as the boys settling into their rhythm.
Throughout their set the atmosphere is electrifying, and the crowd feeds off it. Hardcore fans on the barrier, with those in the Christmas spirit behind them getting their groove on. They get the audience involved in the build up to ‘The River’, always a crowd pleaser, prior to rounding out the set with ‘Better Days’, ‘Steal Your Heart’ and ‘Testify’. A raucous start to the evening for sure.
After a quick change over These Wicked Rivers kick off their set with the anthemic ‘Force of Nature’, the band wasted no time in establishing a powerful connection with the crowd. The venue's intimate setting proved to be a perfect backdrop for the band's blues-infused rock sound. The chemistry among band members was palpable, each musician seamlessly complementing the others to create a tight, cohesive performance.
Standout moments included the soulful ‘Riverboat Man’ and ‘Shine On’, which brought an anthemic climax to the night, with the entire crowd joining in to sing along. Throughout the evening the set showcased These Wicked Rivers' ability to traverse various musical landscapes, from the gritty blues of ‘Black Gold’ to the introspective ‘Lonely Road’.
Closing out with ‘Testify’ and ‘Don't Pray For Me’, left the audience clamouring for more. The band's closers reflected a perfect blend of their signature sound and a willingness to experiment with different styles.
As winters grip gets ever tighter, the Birmingham back streets where lit up tonight with some magical music from two bands at the top of their game.
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
