Miguel Montalban is one of a kind. When we caught up with him earlier this summer, the guitar virtuoso had been looking forward to his return to The Half Moon in Putney amidst the promotion of his latest single, Fragile Hearts. With a mighty hand, a slash of top-class music and more than one fine hat onstage, Montalban brought his show to the capital.
Tim Gerard – Miguel Montalban & The Southern Vultures
The Half Moon, London – 5 September 2024
Words: Monty Sewell
Photography: Ryan Hildrew
With the full Miguel Montalban & The Southern Vultures experience afoot, the historic venue was teaming with rock ‘n’ roll excitement. Montalban and his band took to the stage as fans lined the front of stage railings. From the get-go, there is no doubt that Montalban harbours a loyal following dedicated to the enjoyment the musician brings them through his work. The show swings into motion with a smile, a strum, and a drumstick count in.
Much of the material that was performed came from Montalban’s 2020 self-titled album. Critically acclaimed, the record is a perfectly constructed demonstration of the musician’s craft. But seeing the goods brought to life was a different experience entirely. Starting with Wander, Montalban and his band thunder in with a galloping momentum, ready to wage war against anyone who wrongly states rock ‘n’ roll is dead.
Tobacco Road grasps the audience with a rustic thump, Montalban smiling between words. He engages with his audience with unfailing enthusiasm. His appreciation for his fandom is evident, and in return, the crowd eagerly eyes every slick guitar lick and riff-ready turn in the music.
Turn In Black is a heck load of fun as Montalban equally engages with his band. The Southern Vultures have been a pivotal part of this journey, and you can really feel the respect each member holds for each other as they have the best time onstage together.
True Lies, Run Like Hell, and Black Sheep all showcase more of Montalban’s excellent guitar playing as he sweeps across each swap-in guitar’s six strings. There really are no words to fully explain just how good the musician is on his battle axe. Even outside of the faultless technicality Montalban endorses, you can almost touch the passionate emotions he displays through his playing.
Baby That’s Alright is a downright feel-good anthem before Awaken reveals Montalban’s softer side with tinges of the ethereal. With the slower tempo offering bounds of space, the guitarist contorts his fingers around his instrument, pouring everything into each string bend and solo fiddle. It is a moment to remember.
We continue on this strand of heartfelt rock ‘n’ roll with Fell In Love. The energy onstage stays on a constant high, even when the temp slows down. The band’s musicality is the mesh that bounds over Montalban’s compositions, edging the music into the higher realms of brilliance.
It is almost unbelievable how the four-piece keeps the excitement on the precipice of nearly exploding. Just enough to keep their audience begging for more again and again.
To round up the night, we get Last Chance and The House. Montalban sports the biggest smile, clearly having the time of his life playing his astounding set for the satisfied fans. Miguel Montalban and The Southern Vultures answer the call for an encore and play Electrifying. Phenomenal as it is, it leaves us only wanting more.
The night ends, and Montalban comes straight from the stage and into the audience to chat with his fans, who come far and wide to see the musician and his band do what they do best. It was truly an honour to witness such talent in a venue like The Half Moon, as I have no doubt Montalban will be playing at much larger venues in no time. To see such a great musician excel onstage is a pleasure.
Tim Gerard
Opening the night was Tim Gerard. Well-seasoned on the London and Nashville scene, Gerard has had a string of roots-blues-rock releases this year and was the perfect support act on a night of guitar-centric repute.
Armed with interchanging guitars and a kick drum, Gerard filled the venue with the sound of a full band. Kicking it off with the Wild West-laden Country Gold, Gerard’s slick sound comes straight off the bat, oozing with stylised rogue-edged rock.
Dipping into the emotionally saddled As The Crow Flies, the venue pulls over in silence as Gerard’s slide-guitar takes the night into the secure hands of a virtuosic. Continuing on this road of sweetly wrapped riffs, we get the mood swayer Sweet Vermouth before unreleased songs St. Augustine and Vintage Dream (due to be released later this year).
Gerard shows off his blues rock suave with heart pumper Rattlesnake, his guitar chops on the top end of brilliant. Vocally, the musician hosts a roaring husk, giving added charge with each chorus hook-line soar. He demonstrates himself as a passionate performer with a notable, tough edge to his musicality.
The playful ode to the city in which Gerard plays, London Oh London, brings the temperature up amongst the punters, who quickly pick up the clever lyrics and quirky stories within. The set rounds off with Punch Drunk Lover, and Gerard rouses a hefty cheer from the audience. With mastery of six-string skills and bounds of energy gushing out from the stage, Gerard is on the clear path to industry notoriety.
