Making a welcome return to The Giffard Arms is former Bigfoot guitarist Sam Millar and his effervescent band. Experiencing him at GiffFest 20 months or so ago, Millar made an instant impression with his brand of immensely melodic, adrenalised ’80s style rock.
Sam Millar
The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton – 12 April 2025
Words: Sophie James
Photography: Ruskin Roader Photography
Since releasing his debut solo album More Cheese Please following two amply filled EPs, I can say with all confidence that Sam Millar has not released a substandard song.
Backed by James Thorley on keys, bassist Benji Faith and Morgan Deveney on drums, it is immediately apparent just how much more impelling their live sound is, providing the perfect soundtrack to a balmy summer (or springtime) evening.
Album and show opener The Killing Floor contains all the ingredients that make his music so instantly alluring and uplifting.
When you combine seductive melodies driven by staccato rhythms, reverberating bass, multi-textured keyboards, and swashbuckling drum fills with consistently huge choruses, the result is most virulent.
Benji is so invested in this vocal melody it begs the question should he be given a microphone?
A pulsating synth heralds Fooling Yourself, which builds into the most elevating chorus. At this point, I am gone, bopping at the rear like there’s no one watching.
From the song’s fizzing body through a hair-swirling breakdown, then easing as the soaring evocative guitar flows so lavishly into its delightful coda, this is simply a complete masterclass of arrangement.
Something I’ll Regret has the most summery intro of the evening, the jaunty feel at odds with the title. Sam then veers away from the album to air a duo of tracks from his initial brace of EPs.
Forbidden, from 2020’s Radio Gouda, is powered by a classic AOR riff where the guitar ascends to a plane that flees the shackles of the studio.
Segueing seamlessly into the beat-driven Eyes from 2019 debut Holy Sass, the dynamics continue to intensify while retaining that melodic core. Furthermore, I detected the briefest of nods to a recent octogenarian in the solo.
Chardonnay, meanwhile, is pure funky cadenced Totoesque nirvana that serenades in characteristic AOR fashion before racing home in a Darkness-like dash.
“Does anyone fancy dancing?”
With a Motown-influenced bass line, Dancing On My Own is a seductive rock ‘n’ roll riffed booty shaker with plenty of characteristic ‘Na Na Nas’ to invoke additional arm-swaying audience participation.
“I’m sorry, but your majesty, me no speaky Drama Queen,” is amongst my lines of the decade.
As the cowbell punctuates the asymmetrical riff, Showbiz is an acerbic commentary on a bitter relationship, not that one would guess from the upbeat groove. It is adorable how the fleeting YSMANL strains slip so effortlessly into the solo.
Another pulsing synth pattern propels the sumptuous orchestration of the mid-paced Déjà Vu while the dreamy opening of Meet Me Halfway develops into another lighter swaying anthem. James’ keys transport you like Jonathan Cain DeLoreaning back to Planet Toto.
With a haunting gothic/arabesque intro that escalates into a charging rocker, Sam captures the feel and dexterity of the great Lukather on set staple Levi’s while scheduled closer Neanderthal Man builds into a driving, head-shaking rhythmfest.
“A nice little treat for ya.”
Realising that the clock permitted one more song, the thrustingly resplendent Strangers was given an airing. While bass solos are invariably humdrum, Benji’s here was a seductive articulation of low-frequency richness.
A thoroughly engaging and entertaining set. Sam, together with his band, has perfected the act of fusing melody, rhythm and energy into an exquisitely arranged and infectious sound.
The compositions are so irresistible that they are sure to induce some form of cavorting or shuffling, at the very least, even amongst the coldest of hearts.
Some of those present had travelled a considerable distance to this small event and will have departed fully satisfied that the performance merited the journey.
A feel-good night par excellence, and one of the most joyous headliners I have experienced gracing this legendary venue. Catch him near you as his Virtual Summer tour continues. Hawaiian shirts are optional.
