Gary Stringer from Reef is touring a solo acoustic set so it’s only fitting the support mirrors the style and setup. The support for this gig remained unannounced for some time until Rob Clamp was mentioned on socials. I’ve always been a big fan and champion of support acts but also, hopefully like to be surprised by the experience and performance that greets me.
Tonight was one of those nights! Although Rob Clamp is a local lad coming from the same town as me I was unaware of his music, not due to his lack of notoriety, more so my lack of searching out acoustic music generally opting for loud and brash that assaults my senses.
This was not loud and brash but hit the spot just as hard. Taking to the stage, just sitting down and letting his playing and voice speak (sing) for itself. Obvious he takes his craft seriously, either by natural talent or some serious practice he’s tamed the instrument to a level that I could only dream of reaching accompanied by what I was unable to see but assume was an acoustic stomp pad and bells on his other foot.
He certainly held the room with a well crafted set of all but one original songs, all dispatched with an obvious delivery of someone who loves what they do. Humorous self-depreciation over his name along with apologies over a song aimed at attendees who talk during gigs, the irony not lost on me looking around at a few. Those few missed out even if only having a quick chat mid performance.
As with any performance if writing some for of review your always balancing positives and negatives but here there are none, negatives that is aside from the fact a few more songs would have been great but that would have been out of his control.
A local talent, just a talent. Guys like this keep the great live music scene in this country so rich and vibrant, If you get the chance to catch one of his performances I highly recommend it or just take a look at the social links below.
https://www.instagram.com/rob_clamp_music
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3zjUD3m7eqF69Hn14O4XQ/featured
