Matinee shows need to make a comeback in 2026. There’s something incredibly joyful about stepping off the high street on a rainy Sunday afternoon and finding yourself in the middle of a rock n roll show, and when we heard about a rare solo outing from the maestro behind Big Sandy’s sound, we knew we had to check it out.

As a starter, Erika and the Ravens are a delight, all soulful stripped back loveliness, with echoes of Nancy Sinatra casting a midnight veil over the afternoon. Equal parts western jangle and ageless class like a warm desert night, their lightly stepping Rock n Roll packs a steady groove and a whole lot of fun thanks to their hypnotic vocalist.

Promising ‘a bit of everything from Bebop to Bauhaus’, and for those passionate about the free-wheeling, jam session guitar sound, Kingman provides and then some. Fingers flying through surf, he takes on lead vocals with warmth and humour to take on covering Ray Charles’ ‘I Got A Woman’. Madness get the Kingman treatment with ‘One Step Beyond’ reformed into a in a light, dramatic western style then we’re whisked into country swing, adding a touch of sophistication as the evening draws in.

“I’m usually hiding behind a singer….its kinda weird being here at the front!” laughs the guitarist before introducing his first guest, Paul Ansell. It’s always a pleasure to hear his warm tones tackling any song, especially Waylon Jennings’ ‘Six Strings’. Kingman’s choice of guests showcases his versatility, as Shyy takes the stage to tackle Howlin Wolf’s ‘Spoonful’, the blues number adding a serious level of cool to the show. ’Tequila’ restarts the party, the song set on fire with burning riffs.

Afternoon is a celebration of the friends we made along the way on our journey through the world of Rock n Roll, curated by one of the guitar greats, and who could ask for a better afternoon than that?

Kate Allvey