Words and Photos by: Steve Lucas
A rock show in a brewery – what could possibly go wrong? Actually, it’s a great idea. The oldest brewery in the UK playing host to up and coming musicians. The auditorium is a high ceilinged space with a capacity of around 300 people. The walls are adorned with old pub signs, and the lights are dimmed throughout the show. So whilst you never forget where you are, once the music starts, and the band gets your attention, it doesn’t distract from your reason for being there. And that brings us nicely to tonight’s protagonists.
This is my second time seeing both bands, having seen them both at Maid of Stone Festival. Preacher Stone played in 2024 and Revenant in 2025. I’ve played their tracks on the No Lemons show a few times as well, so I think it’s fair to say I like both bands and I had bought tickets for this show long before I was offered this review.
Revenant come from the South of England and are described as a southern rock band. That’s a crowded genre, and to stand out, a band needs to have something a bit different about them. For me, their difference comes from their ability to merge styles of music. They opened their set with a track called Public Service Announcement. It’s an up-tempo attention grabbing opener that could be an AC/DC song. It’s followed by Best Medicine, which would comfortably fit in any country artist’s set. So, you are introduced to their live show with a demonstration of the band’s ability to flick between styles of song with ease. Their guitar playing vocalist and frontman, ‘Sugarman’ Sam seems really comfortable in that role. That’s a skill in its own right – trust me, I’ve tried – it’s no easy feat juggling those tasks in front of a room full of strangers. His vocals and playing are clearly nailed down, and that allows him to channel his focus on the crowd. It’s a key component for any live performance and they have that box ticked. Sam’s ability is matched by his bandmates. Bassist Robin, drummer Carl and guitarist Matt are equally skilled performers and make what they do look easy and natural. The set continues and is littered with face-melting guitar solos and soaring vocals. For the fans of tub-thumping, there’s a drum solo and they treat us to a fine rendition of When the Levee Breaks before closing the set with the anthemic Coming Back to Life (a favourite for all ex-wives) and their latest release I’ll be There.
For a band that has only been around for three years, they are clearly fast learners. If there’s any justice, their reputation will grow along with audience sizes. I recommend you take any opportunity you get to see these guys live.
For our headline act, we have North Carolina’s Preacher Stone. They have been regular visitors to the UK for the last few years and have developed a faithful following known as ‘The Congregation’. They are another band that wears the label of being a southern rock band. My word, they wear it well. These guys are the real deal. They deliver the most authentic sound and performance of any band I’ve seen or heard in the genre. They look the part and sound even better. They launch into Hard Life PHD and what follows is a masterclass of delivery. We have Ronnie’s smooth soulful vocals over the top of a relentless engine room, powered by Wyatt on drums and Jim on bass. And in the middle we have the dazzling duelling guitars of Ben and Darrell. Vocal harmonies are perfectly timed and in tune. Each song has a riff that hooks you and a chorus that you can instantly sing along to. I think that’s the very definition of good songwriting. Even if you’re hearing it for the first time, you feel like each song is like eating your favourite meal, or, perhaps more appropriately, drinking your favourite tipple. It puts a smile on your face and genuine joy in your heart. That’s the whole point of doing something you enjoy – it should make you feel great. And part of that enjoyment comes in the knowledge that it’s a shared experience. And I’m not just talking about my fellow members of The Congregation. The band is clearly enjoying it as much as we are. Some less enthusiastic supporters may argue that the song formats and subject matter are hardly original. And I concede that is a fair point. Song titles like By The Horns, Dance With The Devil, Writing On The Wall and Come What May are cliches in their own right. But that’s how genres become genres right? And so we come back to the issue of how a band stands out in a crowded field. These guys are consummate professionals. They are extremely talented musicians and they clearly enjoy what they do. They’ve nailed the art of making it look easy and fun. Anyone who has tried it will tell you that it takes years of dedicated effort to get anywhere near that level of performance. For me, the icing on the cake comes in the form of frontman Ronnie. This guy knows how to own a stage and is a master of crowd engagement. What it is about him that makes that true is difficult to define. Perhaps it’s an innate personality trait. Perhaps it’s years of practice. Maybe it’s being comfortable in your own skin, whether on stage or off. Whatever it is, it works. He is simultaneously a genial host and top class entertainer.
If these guys aren’t on your must see list, they should be. You’re missing out if you don’t take the chance. They are a top shelf outfit and I am most definitely a fully paid up member of The Congregation.
