Joe Bonamassa: Motorpoint Arena Nottingham Gig Review

Famous for lace-making and its connection to the outlaw Robin Hood, I headed to Nottingham mid-afternoon to see another legend fire some arrows from his seemingly boundless guitar artillery. However, my stomach comes first, and me and my esteemed colleague can highly recommend the tacos from Taquero. Zing and zip, flavour and fire, smoke and salsa, they made the mouth water for all the right reasons. Special mention to the black beans too — creamy, comforting, and arguably the pre-star of the show.

From Bon Appétit to Bonamassa. A bonafide superstar of the blues. The torchbearer. The flag carrier. Anything but the curtain raiser (fitting, given there’s no support act). Ever the consummate professional and sharp dressed man in his creaseless suit and trademark sunglasses, tonight is all about JB and his absurdly talented backing band. Two hours of contagious, electrifying blues taken to just about every corner of the musical embroidery, with no unnecessary needle in-between.

The lights dim a couple of minutes shy of the start time and the fun and funk begins with “Hope You Realize It” from Blues Deluxe Volume 2. 

It’s the definition of tight, while still leaving plenty of room for breaks galore, with some vintage Bonamassa phrasing, and a wry smile towards organist Reece Wynans, already bursting with energy and dynamism. The set is an eclectic mixture of old favorites and new material, as the echoes and haunting sound of “Dust Bowl” (the title track off Bonamassa’s 2011 LP) lift me up and tear me down, either side of a beautifully executed and intensified solo.

Joey B swaps his Gretsch Country Club for a Gibson Les Paul on “24 Hour Blues,” making time stand still with more melodic and precise fretwork. The rock ‘n’ roll, honky-tonk, big band sound of “Done Got Over It” has an outstanding riff that makes the toes tap and head nod, with Wynans again going to town on those keys. 

One thing universally agreed is Bonamassa’s voice has gotten considerably better over the years, with the cigars he smokes adding a gravel texture to his voice. He sings beautifully on “Driving Towards The Daylight.” A classic in the Bonamassa repertoire with its simple chord construction, this glossy composition finds the sweet spot between melancholia and peacefulness.

The powerful and soulful backing vocals of Jade MacRae and Danielle DeAndrea are as equally compelling as the swing and sizzling chemistry of the band on “I Want To Shout About It,” before Bonamassa brings bending majesty to the ballad “The Last Matador Of Bayonne.” While it’s another huge advocate for his matured vocal ability, it’s the guitar mastery that takes center stage. Bonamassa’s Les Paul sways and soars to a place mere mortals can only dream of on the memorable crescendo, with flickers of Gary Moore and David Gilmour lighting up the Motorpoint.

We then go back over 20 years to “Pack It Up” off the Blues Deluxe record (2003), as rhythm guitarist Josh Smith emerges from Bonamassa’s shadow to showcase his dizzying ability on the axe. 

Ironically, Bonamassa decides to ‘pack it in’ for a few moments as he introduces his band to the ever-attentive audience. Every member is given plenty of love, as Bonamassa admits to sounding ‘like a high school teacher.’ However, no blushes are spared for rock ‘n’ roll hall of famer Wynans (renowned for his work with SRV and Double Trouble) who is given a standing ovation. As gracious a gentleman as he is an iconic and world-class keyboardist, it’s a lovely moment.

The all-star cast get back to the grind with the Southern Blues vibes and fantastic swing of “The Heart That Never Waits.” It’s punchy and strutty with another ripping lead from Bonamassa and more glorious female backing vocals from the all-grinning, all-dancing MacRae and DeAndrea. 

With the end nigh, a spellbinding rendition of “How Many More Times” sees drummer Lemar Carter channel his inner-Bonham, breaking up this monster of a track with a thundering solo. The whole band honor this classic Zeppelin track in style. From the hypnotic riff to Bonamassa slowing the pace right down, they even sandwich a shot of Free’s “The Hunter” into this golden era throwback of British classic rock. Even when he dabbles in changing the volume, every audience member is fixated. You could hear a fly drop. 

Culminating in the quintessential Bonamassa track “Sloe Gin,” it’s an emotional, poignant masterpiece that hits hard. It’s a textbook example of how to build a solo — Joe’s tone is to die for and never fails to make the remaining hairs on top of my head stand up.

The whole band has been a triumph of eminence and execution, providing the perfect foil for Bonamassa’s virtuosity. Having opened for B.B. King at just 12 years old, Bonamassa might be considered a veteran of the industry, with over 35 years honing his trade. It’s certainly not come easy. He’s shed blood and sweat while living with a self-confessed ‘healthy guitar addiction’ to get into this position as the figurehead of the genre.

Bonamassa has developed into a beautiful, melodic player, as well as a technical animal. Yet it’s his humble nature and maturity to never overplay that commands so much respect. He easily sweeps aside the histrionics and flash for sweet and soulful lines to serve the purpose of a song.

Still very much at the top of his game and with new album Breakthrough just announced, he’s a lauded blues-rock guitar hero and generational talent who really can do it all — go see Joey B.