Much to my frustration, it has been nigh on two years since last witnessing the dynamic The Soul Revival. That occasion saw the debut of guitarist Andy Dove, who joined established trio of vocalist Steve Nunn, bassist Matthew ‘Higgy’ Higgins and drummer Karl Selickis. Fast forward to the present, and Saturday, they featured as special guests to the enthralling Heavy Souls at Ye Olde Giffard Arms.
The Soul Revival
Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton – 28 June 2025
Words: Sophie James
Photography: Sandis Luttropp
With no attempt to bow to the conditions, The Soul Revival launched into the propulsive onslaught of Dark Shadows Of My Heart. This adrenaline-fueled romp promptly established the budding synergy between the compadres, with Andy’s solo providing a rich flourish.
Out front, Steve, whom I regard as having ‘a proper rock voice’, was already in confident and commanding form.
“Whiskey, won’t you ease my pain.”
The spirited intro segues into the gentler verse of Kick Me To The Dirt, prior to full ignition on the chorus. Andy, now fully at ease in his role, is flouncing across his allotted quadrant while Higgy is his dependable Sheehanesque self as Karl flails flamboyantly away on the skins.
Seemingly possessed by their rhythmic creations, heads and bodies moved as one during the succinct Midnight Flame. Like the preceding brace, there is a deeply percussive quality to the sound as the drums emphasise the riffs, with the bass sealing the void.
On first listen, Warrior Soul, the first of a quartet of new compositions, came across as quintessential NWOBHM, with Andy fully letting rip. 
During the next introduction, Steve explained that they were all in training to run up and down Eryri (Snowdon) to raise funds for charity.
Ian’s Chain was established to prevent suicide in younger men and to support families where positive intervention arrived too late. Those familiar with the raison d’être for SavFest will be aware of this worthy cause. The links are available at the end of this article.
Second newcomer, Miles Apart, which ponders a broken relationship, was a more measured effort based around a slow, powerful riff with infused essences of Southern rock.
Then, taking a turn in a completely different direction, “Who loves the blues?” What self-respecting rock band does not have a wee ditty hailing sobriety evasion in their repertoire?
Third newbie, Drinking Games, was a crunchy slab of heavy blues.
“One Shot, Two Shots……….”, trailed immediately by “Three Shots, Four Shots…….”,. How can it be anything other than contagiously anthemic?
The abundance of sumptuous harmonics in the expressive solo made it challenging for Higgy to follow, but anchor it he did in a number that was THE highlight of the show.
An early sign that The Soul Revival have reached the next level? I would say so. Destined to become a live favourite? Without doubt.
A release that does much to demonstrate their ambition is Outlaw.
Here, it conveyed an energy that heightened its badass roots. The guitar, steeped in a darker, more momentous Americana, constantly explored and exploited the combinations of its constituents. Imagine if Bad Company were emerging today.
“This is our last song. Oh no, it’s not! Oh, it’s too warm!”
Imminent single Show Me The Right Way (out Friday) was the penultimate selection. The heat appeared to get to your reviewer, as my notes were a dearth of detail at this point.
When is the last song, not the last song? When it’s not on the setlist, that’s when!
The anthemic debut single Won’t Bring Me Down is instantly thrilling with its urgent riff and infectious groove. It would have been unforgivable to omit it.
On its release, I remarked, “With its jump on board and ride it home feel, I can visualise it working as a finale, leaving an appreciative audience with the need to see them again.”
When those words were drafted over two years ago, I never anticipated that they could be repeated so fittingly after this energetic finale.
Blending classic influences exuberantly embellished with collective instrumental flair, The Soul Revival are a fresh, potent voice capable of steering the rock renaissance for years to come [Ed: Sophie, you know as well as I that rock never really went away.]
Please forgive the limited detail on the selection of new tunes aired. However, if their past work is any indication, one can be assured that the recorded versions will be well-crafted, dynamic, and captivating.
Their work ethic has got them to the point whereby a scheduled EP release in the autumn will be followed by the debut album next year.
A thoroughly convincing and enjoyable live experience, they are ones to watch for sure.
Should you wish to discover more about Ian’s Chain Charity or even be benevolent enough to donate, then please follow these links:
Ian’s Chain – Ianschain.co.uk / The Soul Revival – JustGiving.com/crowdfunding/ians-chain-1
The Soul Revival are:
Vocals – Steve Nunn
Guitar – Andy Dove
Bass – Matthew ‘Higgy’ Higgins
Drums – Karl Selickis
Setlist
- Dark Shadows of My Heart
- Kick Me to the Dirt
- Midnight Flame
- Warrior Soul
- Miles Apart
- Drinking Games
- Outlaw
- Show Me the Right Way
- Won’t Bring Me Down
