Far from Saints at Oslo Hackney

Far from Saints at Oslo Hackney | Live review

27^th March 2023

Filippo L'Astorina

Shot by Virginie Viche

Filippo L'Astorina Shot by Virginie Viche

27 March 2023

Far from Saints’ debut gig at Oslo Hackney was a captivating showcase of the talent and potential of this new band, which features Kelly Jones of Stereophonics, Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker from The Wind and The Wave. Their music is an eclectic blend of country, rock, folk and Americana, which results in a unique sound that sets them apart. The self-titled debut album is set to be released in June, a record that was conceived over “an unadulterated love of music and collaboration: honest, real, and brimming with integrity”.

Tonight’s show, which served as a warm-up for their upcoming night at the Royal Albert Hall, began with a cover of Stevie Nicks’s classic Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around. It would be impossible to tell this is a newly formed act, their natural connection and seamless musical interplay evoking the confidence and polish of seasoned veterans

The first highlight was undoubtedly Let’s Turn This Back Around, an instant classic. The duet between Lynn and Jones was perfectly balanced, and the country element of the song was brought out beautifully in the harmonised chorus. The frontman-sung middle-eight followed by an instrumental crescendo was the finest part of the performance.

A striking moment was Take It Through the Night, as Lynn’s versatile vocals oscillated from gritty and rhythmic to velvety smooth within the bridge. Jones’s masterful guitar solo wove seamlessly into the sonic tapestry, all of a sudden elevating the quality of the show.

Delivering an intimately poignant rendition of Cuts You Up, the band immersed themselves in the heartfelt ballad. Kelly Jones, completely absorbed in the song’s emotional depth, performed with eyes closed, surrendering to the music. Equally captivating was the dramatic instrumental rock crescendo of The Ride, a powerful prelude to their much-anticipated encore.

The remainder of the set featured every track the band’s forthcoming debut album. Kelly Jones bantered: “It’s not out yet, so you won’t be able to tell when we fuck it up.” As the encore commenced, the Welsh singer also revealed that Gonna Find What’s Killing Me was “one of the last tracks they recorded”. This gem showcased Jones’s unmistakable songwriting prowess, echoing early Stereophonics hits like Traffic.

Capping off the night, Far from Saints delivered a spellbinding rendition of Tom Petty’s American Girl. Their electrifying take on the classic rivalled with the energy of the original, an impeccable finale to an unforgettable evening. The band’s passion and synergy permeated every note, leaving the audience enthralled and eagerly awaiting the release of the album.

★★★★★

Filippo L’Astorina
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Far from Saints’ website here.

Far from Saints is released on 16^th June 2023. The next London show will be at EartH Theatre on 5^th June after supporting Kings of Leon on 27^th and 28^th May at the Wrexham FC shows.