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As far as straplines go, “For fans of Bilmuri, Volbeat, Luke Combs” is a bit out there. But in the defence of King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, the one they chose for their gig listings to push tonight’s show by American “BLUECOLLARCOUNTRY” outfit Lakeview is pretty appropriate.
Formed around dual vocalists/frontmen Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, the Nashville-based band (originally from Pittsburgh) have performed at Wacken, Sweden Rocks, and more recently, Download Festival, as well as the Country Music multi-city touring jamboree known as C2C (Country to Country) Festival. A band for all seasons, it would seem. Most of that is down to the energy that comes pouring off the stage, with both Denaro and Healy using their background in metal to full effect in whupping up a storm onstage. Always on the front foot (feet?).
Having a real, live band onstage with them helps, especially during moments like ‘Name in a Song’, where normally artists of a similar nature might opt for backing tracks. Not with these guys, and the drummer is playing out of his skin, so much so that at times he is in danger of drowning out the vocals. Likewise, ‘See Me in a Suit’ might opt for a traditional, modern country intro, but when the band crashes in it is with such force that necks in the audience are giving a workout as the band floors it. Thanks to some killer riffs, the studio version packs a punch, live though, that’s the money shot.
Previously here in late 2024, Lakeview have struck a chord with those that like their blue-collar music with a bit more bite, and also those that like to bounce. There is a lot of bouncing at a Lakeview show, and not many hiding places. Lyrics are screamed back at the band with such gusto that it genuinely takes them by surprise. The opening twenty minutes or so packs in heavy hitters like the insanely hooky ‘Wrong Side of the Track’, ‘Money Where Your Mouth Is’, and ‘Dying Breed’, with the latter especially benefiting from the live band. ‘What I Know Now’ is another moment that highlights the benefits of having a live band, with the guitar solo being a bit of a peach.
Heaps of audience participation, from the copious amounts of “Whoa-woahs” on ‘Can’t Live Without’, to enough bouncing on ‘Neon Nightmare’ that would tire Tigger out. It might be thousands of miles from home for Lakeview, but essentially this is home turf, and the roars that greet fans-favourites like ‘What I Know Now’ and ‘Bad Day to Be a Beer’ highlight this. Lakeview have quite a strong USP, and are an altogether different proposition live than in the studio. But, if The Cadillac Three are/were often classed as “Too country for rock…too rock for country” then where the hell does that place Lakeview? How about “The missing link between The Cadillac Three and Papa Roach”?
Catch Lakeview on tour in Europe throughout June, all dates can be found HERE.
Review – Dave
