Various venues – January 23 - 31 2009 Seasick Steve Reviewed By : Bree Rayfield

The unlikely musical sensation Seasick Steve will treat UK fans to five gigs starting on Friday in Manchester. The bluesman is appearing at large venues out of necessity as his popularity in the UK has soared since his first appearance on Jools Holland in 2006 (he has since become a frequent guest). Steve has said he much prefers more intimate venues where he can be among the crowd, but his popularity is as such that he has almost sold out at least three of his five UK dates.

The former vagabond is known for his charismatic live performances, as witnessed by thousands at festivals throughout the UK, and this series of gigs will undoubtedly prove as entertaining. Don’t let the large venues put you off, Steve is a true showman on stage and has a way of drawing any audience in. He creates an atmosphere of a dark, dingy but lively blues pub all by himself. Well, him and his infamous three-string guitar and Mississippi Drum Machine, complete with license plate and carpet.

His songs tell stories of his time spent on the streets, drifting, of his dog, of insects, of whatever he has or is dealing with. In true blues style, he sings about his life; but he does it with genuine warmth and modesty. His latest album ‘I started Out With Nothin And I Still Got Most Of It Left Now’ made it to number nine on the UK charts in October 2008 and was critically acclaimed.

Steve will be supported by Joe Gideon & The Shark – a London-based brother and sister duo, previously of Bikini Atoll. Former Olympic gymnast Viva (aka The Shark) and brother Gideon deliver a blues-influenced alternative country that has got people talking.

Don’t miss MOJO award winning artist Seasick Steve at the following dates before he heads to Europe in February and then to Australia in April.

UK tour dates:

January 23 – Manchester Apollo
January 25 – Newcastle City Hall
January 27 – O2 Academy Leeds
January 29 – Wolverhampton Civic Hall
January 31 – Hammersmith Apollo, London