Tuesday saw the fabulously retro Bobbie Dazzle roll up at KK’s Steel Mill together with equally organic quartets Santú and Kasperia.
SANTÙ – Kasperia
KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 20 October 2026
Words: Sophie James
Photography: John Inglis
Now and again, an aspiring young band comes along and positively blow you away.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce SANTÙ, a four-piece emanating from the Second City who have rocketed to the summit of my Must See Again Chart.
Comprising Zé (vocals), Sam (guitar), Tom (bass) and Jonathan (drums) SANTÙ produce a vigorous, organic soundscape rooted in bluesy classic rock but with an electrifying modern edge. Think of a fusion of Free and RATM/Audioslave with elements of Rival Sons scattered liberally throughout.
While the vocals were clear, they were a touch low in the mix. Ordinarily, not an insurmountable issue however it did mean I was unable to catch Ze’s inter-song dialogue, missing most song introductions and titles with one notable exception.
While the above comparison captures their essence, the band members’ personal influences are eclectic, with many transferring to particular numbers over the course of the set. There is so much occurring within these arrangements.
Take the first song, for instance. Over its extent, I noted a big intro, fevered construction, heightened emphasis on call and response, dreamy interlude, cymbals thrashing ‘n’ crashing, stop-start bass, guitar following falsetto blues vocal prior to soloing emotively, then making the guitar talk.
Phew! Got all that? Good. It sounds complicated, but it was magnificent and so goddamn impressive. I just wish I knew what the song was called. Probably the most modern take on heavy blues-based rock that I have heard.
The second number had a darker yet melodic riff that built gloriously. Song three possessed that mellow RHCP groove which escalated into an epic finale.
(You have) No Intention felt like RATM playing Deaf Forever, a peculiar concept but again, magnificent. Following Ze’s excursion to the barrier to lead the titular chant it accelerated into a climactic ending. My notes for this section ended with a simple “WOW!”
“Any Fleetwood Mac fans in the house?”
I have heard Oh Well played oh so many times through the years but this rendition was categorically the mightiest yet encountered. From the bass emulating the riff, the agitated call and response, immersive breakdown and grandstand conclusion, this was an archetypal exhibition on how to tackle a cover. Simply flawless.
The closing number invoked the spirit of Free but included a wee snippet of Whole Lotta Love on which to conclude. This was a performance that left one breathless. I have not had a young band impress so much since I first encountered Zac & The New Men.
With music as dynamic as this, it’s a good job that Ze’s voice has the range, power and clarity to accompany the musical breadth. And as for the musical direction, that emanated from Sam. Rarely have I seen a guitarist with such a commanding presence at such a young age.
SANTÙ are the kind of band who would get invited to play a blues club and blow the proverbial roof off. I want, scrub that, I NEED to see more of this band.
Kasperia
Opening the evening were Stourbridge quartet Kasperia who had very briefly crossed my bow once previously when they opened for A Thousand Horses, just next door in The Big Room back in July.
Formed just last year, they comprise vocalist Leah Plant, guitarist Jack Roberts, bassist Ben Weaver and drummer Jamie Blanco and define themselves as “Channelling the spirit of rock’s golden era while captivating audiences with modern flair.”
I would describe opener Alabaster as funky blues with Jack’s solo, the first of many that invoked the spirit of that golden age with the distinctive tone for which the Stratocaster is renowned. Warm applause was received from the early birds gathered.
Most recent single Dead Letter followed. Ben’s intro led into a more bluesy vocal from Leah. While Jamie’s bass drum was dominant in the mix, it did not detract from the overall feel and Jack’s expressive, free-flowing foray.
On Anamcara, Leah’s country-tinged vocal demonstrated her range while Jack’s sporadically exhibited shades of Blackmore. Own Your Mind commenced in a driving funk groove which settled down into a mellow, bluesy lament.
“Some of you know this, please sing along”.
Lay Lady had a more straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll feel but sped through colours that revealed an altogether more involved arrangement.
Vectoring into a jam before the solo, then a Doors-like segment afterwards while Jamie regularly fired Moon/Bonzo style fills, this number received the biggest cheer yet.
The upbeat and driving blues funk of Dig It (Destroy Them) made for a rousing finale. The riff was reminiscent of the Lizzy classic Don’t Believe A Word, which remains one of my favourites to this day, needless to say I enjoyed it.
Overall, a set that lived up to their profile, Kasperia fashioned a sound that was an honest, organic expression of rock in its purest form.
While Jack’s playing is magnetic, I found myself anticipating each and every excursion. It is the synergy between the three musical elements that gives the sound that thrilling nostalgic quality.
With a raft of forthcoming new singles, we can expect to see much more of Kasperia in the months ahead.
