There’s still a tendency for people to raise an eyebrow when Kiefer Sutherland’s name appears on a gig poster. Nowadays, it’s more in a sense of “Oh, yeah, he does music, too,” rather than a “This should be interesting…” It’s great to be back in KK’s, somehow, for the first time this year. With a crowd made up of equal parts music fans and people who first became aware of Sutherland through his screen work, by the end of the evening, it’s difficult to imagine either group leaving disappointed.
Before the main event, we’re treated to a set from Colin Andrew. Armed with little more than an acoustic guitar and a strong voice, he wins over the room with a collection of well-crafted songs and easy-going stage presence. Support slots can be a thankless task, particularly in front of an audience waiting for a well-known headliner, but Andrew handles it with confidence and grace. His blend of folk, country and singer-songwriter influences provides a good fit for the evening and earned a warm response from those who arrived early enough to catch his set.
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Opening with “Down Below”, Kiefer Sutherland and his band get straight to work. They don’t mess about: there’s no grand entrance or arena-rock posturing here. The set-up is simple, the songs do the heavy lifting, and the band know exactly what they’re doing. A lot of the night’s material comes from the upcoming album Grey, which means there’s a risk of alienating the crowd with the unfamiliar numbers. However, it’s a calculated risk which pays off. Tracks like “Goodbye California” and “Something You Love” were well received and sat comfortably alongside older material.
One of the strengths of Sutherland’s live show is that he doesn’t try to be something he’s not. He’s not the biggest singer in the world and he doesn’t pretend otherwise. What he does have is a voice that suits the material and a genuine belief in the songs he’s performing. In an era where authenticity is often talked about more than it’s demonstrated, that counts for a lot.
The band deserve plenty of credit too. They’re tight throughout, with guitarist Ash Wilson particularly impressive without ever turning the night into a showcase for his own talents. Everything serves the songs.
There were a few surprises along the way. A country-rock take on Garbage’s “Only Happy When It Rains” makes an early appearance, working better than it had any right to, while a stripped-back version of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” during the encore is an unexpected highlight.
Between songs, Sutherland is relaxed and engaging, sharing stories without overdoing it and you see him loosen up as the set progresses. Nothing feels scripted and the biggest compliment that can be paid to the show is that, after a couple of songs, the novelty factor disappeared entirely. Nobody was watching an actor having a go at music. They were watching a musician fronting a very good band and delivering a solid set of well-crafted songs.
KK’s Steel Mill has hosted plenty of established names over the years, and Kiefer Sutherland is another name to add to that ever-growing list as a legitimate musical artist. No gimmicks, no reliance on celebrity status, just a good night’s live music from performers who clearly enjoy what they do.
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