The L. A. Maybe - The Patriot, Crumlin
- Rock Media UK
- Dec 6, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 12, 2022
Live review by; Bryan
Photos by; Rockin' Out With...
Another night in the Patriot, which, as long as the authorities manage to keep the M4 clear, is almost classed as a 'local' (it's about 75 miles away from home), to see the latest U.S. band to attempt a tour of Great Britain.
The L. A. Maybe have been linked to the New Wave Of Classic Rock 'banner', and achieved a relatively large showing on social media, but it's a Sunday night and they're playing against an England world cup footie game, which may not mean much to the locals, but might keep some people at home over the border who may have been interested.
I arrived early to find few people in the venue, but I was pleased to see the band had made the effort to have t-shirts specifically for this tour - simple but effective, which will hopefully supplement the tour funds.
By the time the two supports (local openers Ortario plus Zac And The New Men) had played, the audience had increased to a respectable level, and it was time for the headliners. I'll admit, apart from a brief viewing of a couple of videos, I know nothing about the band (you're not going to get any song titles), so the band played their way onto the stage and started the first song. What was immediately apparent, apart from the hat worn by the singer, was the swagger of the songs performance, something different that seems natural to certain U.S. bands.
The first few songs were fast, hard rock, which certainly set the tone for the set and
showed the band to be a tight, well-rehearsed (or at least gig-fit) unit. After a G'n'R cover (Mr. Brownstone for a change) and some more originals, we got a change of pace as Goliath left the stage and Dallas took over vocals for a couple of Prince numbers, including some crowd singing on 'Purple Rain'. The covers may have betrayed beginnings as a bar band, but at least they'd thought about making up a fair length set, which some visiting bands don't manage. After some more hard rocking numbers (and one thoughtful slower song When I’m Gone), plus another G 'n' R cover, it was time for the band intros, some brief solo spots and the run to the end of the set.
No encore, just a really good up-tempo finish and that was the end, which, with nowhere for the band to retire to at the Patriot, makes sense.
Summing up, the band were really good and all of them seemed to be enjoying themselves (which is a good start); they've got some good material, just not enough of it and I may have to buy the album to fully appreciate the songs they did play. I did buy one of their T-shirts and I'd go see them again.
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