Live Review: JD McPherson - O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London - 02/03/2018

Oklahoma’s JD McPherson and his band rocked their biggest show yet this Friday night at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire and their deeply American sound didn't fail to warm the dancing shoes of the crowd.

Charley Crockett, hailing from Texas, brought bassy tones and sing-along songs. Listening to his tunes from the backstage corridor of O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, you can imagine a dark, dingy American bar with cigars hanging out of mouths and a dancefloor filled with swing dancers being the setting for this funk-filled band.

Charley Crockett and his rock-and-roll, mixed with country, anthems got the crowd swinging and jiving in preparation for the upcoming headliner with bangers like Teenage Kicks playing during the time between the support and the main act.



The five-piece, fronted by singer-songwriter JD McPherson, filled the stage with their instruments and larger-than-life characters. Opening with fast-paced track 'Bossy', the enthusiastic crowd showed JD McPherson just how much the UK have missed his shows and still feel so much love for his music.

Dancing, jumping and lunging around the stage, JD gave an electic performance filled with punchy notes and good vibes.

Thanking the crowd for braving the icy weather to attend the gig and feeling ecstatic at the reception the band received, JD kept the rhythms rolling and the crowd moving through the night. It felt as though the crowd should have been thanking him for such a warm and feel-good performance.

This show concludes the UK leg of JD McPherson's tour ahead of their European dates and eventual return to the States and what a finale it was.



Photography and Words by Max Herridge