Marcus Bonfanti

Marcus Bonfanti is probably the most original artist in Blues in Britain today. That voice, dark and hard edged with smoky undertones, coupled with the look of a modern messiah and guitar chops to die for all combine to make him a remarkable musician.

Fresh from a tour of Switzerland he was playing his ‘local’, being a North London lad and with a pick up crew as well since he has joined Ten Years After as their main man. To put it simply, he belted it so far out of the park that it hasn’t come down yet and the near-capacity crowd at the Upstairs room at The Garage enjoyed every minute.

Tearing out a raucous ‘Alley Cat’ he was playing some superb slide and his playing and singing was the in full evidence through some crowd pleasers such as ‘Jezebel’ and ‘Cheap Whiskey’ and his soloing on ‘Blind Alley’ – riffage crossed with sublime fingering – clearly showed why his audience are so passionate about him. He talked with the crowd between songs – no aloof musician here – and got more than a few laughs over tales of the road.

He closed the set with belting versions of ‘Baby Don’t Dance’ and ‘I Want Your Cash’, ratcheting up the intensity as he went.

His music is perfect for little, steamy and hi-energy venues like the Garage and anyone who has the opportunity to catch a live set should grab it before he disappears into the world of perpetual touring with TYA.

A cracking night of high intensity Blues and boogie from one of the best around.