Joe Bonamassa / Royal Albert Hall / London
A trip down the East Coast line for something a bit special tonight. This felt like the music photographers version of shooting the FA Cup Final at Wembley – as I headed to London and to the iconic Royal Albert Hall, to witness a guitar legend perform – Jo Bonamassa.
Joe is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Amazingly he first performed at the tender age of 12, when he opened for the legendary B.B. King ! He set up his own label J&R Adventures, and since the release of his first album “A New Day Yesterday” in 2000, he has released fifteen studio albums, the most recent being 2025’s stunning “Breakthrough”.
He’s played with all the greats topped the billboard charts and set up the ‘Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation’ a non-profit label designed to promote and support the talent of new blues musicians, including the likes of Dion, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Joanna Connor, and Larry McCray.
The Royal Albert Hall is something special, and tonight is the first of two back to back shows for Joe. No support, but over two hours of the master at work. Coming up the stairs from the basement into the stalls at the side of the stage is something special. With its tiers of balconies and boxes and stunning high domed ceiling the place is just dripping in atmosphere.
There’s. real buzz in the air as we wait for Joe Bonamassa to hit the stage and when the lights finally dimmed there was a moment of almost total silence as everyone seemed to hold their breathe in anticipation, before a loud and heartfelt round of applause. Stepping into the spotlight in his blue suit and shades, he launched into the flunky blues tones of Hope You Realize It taken from “Blues Deluxe Vol. 2”. Immediately, you are so aware you are in the presence of greatness. The performance is precise and the playing packed with emotion as he bends the strings on his custom Gibson SG, and the Royal Albert Hall comes alive.
Joe is joined on stage by an ensemble of some great musicians, with Josh Smith on guitar (the Josh Smith Trio play Ronnie Scott’s on 28th August) Lachy Doley, an Australian keyboardist who delivers some stunning Hammond (B3?) organ solos, Lemar Carter on drums, Calvin Turner on bass, and the incredibly talented Jade MacRae, and Danielle DeAndrea providing backing vocals. The band are hand picked and gel perfectly, giving depth and energy to the tracks.
There’s a mist rolling across the stage as the lights dim to a mellow blue for the stunning Dust Bowl, with its slow laid back style it is made for a venue like this, resonating round the hallowed hall. The guitar break sections have a Dave Gilmour moodiness to them and it’s a delight. Switching over to a classic Fender Strat for a pumped up version of Love Ain’t A Love Song which is delivered with a lively funky edge. One of my favourites a track you just can’t resist moving to.
A delicate and soft piano solo from Lachy announces the arrival of another fan favourite in Driving Towards The Daylight a moody and country infused track that tugs at the heartstrings with every note. The melody oozes emotion. Josh kicks off Drive By The Exit Sign with a bit of slide guitar work, as Joe joins in now on a semi-hollow Gibson. The guitars combine to deliver a rich tonal palette as Jade MacRae, and Danielle DeAndrea groove along providing some divine backing vocals.
Lachy kicks off Double Trouble with some gorgeous blues keys, before Joe joins in with some of the most beautiful laid back electric blue riffs you could ever hope to hear. Joe’s vocals are simply stunning here, dripping with blues mood and expression, delicate and rising to loud. Again on the Heart That Never WaitsLachy’s key skills are on full display with some delicious Hammond riffs, the audience are tapping along and singing to themselves. It’s an irresistible number that gets cheers of delight as it draws to a close. With Well Well the band comes together to take the spotlight and showcase their immense talents. Josh gives us a fantastic slide solo, and Lemar unleashes a precise and enjoyable drum solo. All while Jade and Danielle deliver some spine tingling vocals. It stands out different from the set around it, and leaves an indelible mark.
As the set draws to a close we enjoy It's Hard But It's Fair (a Bobby Parker cover) on “Blues Deluxe Vol.2” and Mountain Time from “So It’s Like That” (2002) a glorious fusion of blues, country and rock.
The audience are on their feet, cheering and applauding, and it doesn’t take long for Joe and the band to return to the stage for a two song encore. Starting off with a cover of the Cream classic Crossroads, a band who famously delivered their final live show at the Royal Albert Hall in 1968, it’s a rumbunctious and fun take on the classic, and delivered with warmth and admiration. And then finally, we get Sloe Gin from his 2007 album of the same name. It’s slow and delicate start, its delivered with heart and passion and raw emotion. The crowd are transfixed to every note and are on their feet applauding long before the song finishes.
The term legend is thrown around far too often these days, but Joe Bonamassa is a true legend. A master at his craft, keeping the light of the blues shining bright through his own performances, whilst also providing support for others to continue far into the future.
Setlist
Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)
Dust Bowl
Love Ain't a Love Song
Driving Towards the Daylight
Drive Past the Exit Sign
Double Trouble (Big Bill Broonzy cover)
The Heart That Never Waits
Well, Well (Delaney & Bonnie cover)
It's Hard But It's Fair (Bobby Parker cover)
Mountain Time
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Crossroads (Cream cover)
Sloe Gin (Tim Curry cover)
