DRUGSTORE COWBOYS/BO'WEEVIL BROTHERS/CRAIG SHAW & THE ECHOES
IAC 15th August 2025
When this gig was first announced at International Arts Centre it looked like a real cracker... and so it was.. the return of the Bo'Weevils and Drugstores with a bonus of Craig Shaw and the Excellos
First up were the superb 'The Bo'weevil brothers who hadn't played in Leicester for far too long, so it was great to see them back... and they were in scintillating form... driving rocking blues delivered with massive energy, drive and outrageous ability... Al seems to play more bass than harp lately, but whichever he is playing it is powerful and driving, and his fabulous gravelly voice remains perfect for the music... across the stage Nick Hough plays guitar... that is some undrestatement... Nick's playing is exceptional at all times... driving, so creative and wonderful to hear... especially on slide work... at the back Jimmy Bo'weevil is a man of so many talents.. playing superb drums as well as high class harp and singing brilliantly.
The band included a fair few new songs, to my ears, but all delivered the the same Bo'Weevil energy and aplomb... absolutely superb rocking set to open the evening...
Next up was Craig Shaw and the Excelos, including Nick Whitmore on upright bass. A new band to me and difficult to follow the previous act but they did it in fine style... bluesy, rocking and playing with energy, joy and some real attitude... Nicks powerful bass reverberating through the floor and some superb guitar work and powerful drumming forming a powerful framework for Craigs' high class vocals, guitar and harp... this band rocked superbly and were far more than " the third band" on the gig... they delivered a powerful and exciting set, but for me, probably erred by playing maybe 10 minutes longer than i would have liked... maybe just anxious to hear the Drugstores!
So finally, around 1030 the wonderful Drugstore cowboys kicked off... Sam French playing outstanding slap bass and Nick Bott drumming to perfection... up front the irrepressible Nick Whitfield
playing guitar and singing superbly in the way only he can... The Drugstores are the best party band in the land, and they proved it again last night with another varied, exciting and outstanding show... it is impossible to anticipate what the set list will include, Nick seems to have an inexhaustible repertoire of songs by artists both familiar and obscure and delivers them all with outstanding energy, style and joy... in his inimitable way.
In typical fashion Nick announced that they were near the end of the set several times, but there was no end in view as the band rocked there joyful way through more songs... but all good things come to an end... and eventually out came the latex horse mask for the regular closer, "Champion the Wonderhorse"... where one punter volunteered to take the mask and prance with the band... maybe the closer, but was followed by a wildly rocking dip into the Johnny Kidd & the Pirates songbook to bring a terrific evening to a close in magnificent rocking style...
Beyond the Music, it was wonderful to feel a big slice of the old Donkey in the room... catching up with so many friends and familiar faces from the sadly missed days of the Donkey... maybe the best atmosphere i've felt in the International and it really makes you realise have much we have lost with the Donkey...
Huge thanks to Nick for putting this superb night on and to all three bands for three superb rocking sets... lets hope for more of the same, as well as another Cramps night!!
keep music live... keep music real.. support your local venues and bands....
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