When you light a coal fire it takes a while for the flames to work through and do their magic. There is a brief period where it begins to smoke and smoulder and you wonder if it is going to need a few more fire lighters and then all at once the flames burst through and the heat pours out. That is how this gig felt to me.

Jimi Alexander & the Satellites are a fully formed band of greatness in waiting. They have some truly magnificent songs, they are all excellent musicians and Jimi has to be one of the best vocalists to have emerged from Wales since Kelly Jones. He has a voice so full of passion and emotion that the walls crackle with its intensity. Tonight’s set featured some of the best songs from the band’s debut album such as Baby Don’t, Burn A Little Brighter and a stunning stripped down, acoustic Queen of Denmark. There were also some promising new songs Rain and the majestic sounding April Fever.

The band are off to SXSW in Texas in March and it will be fascinating to see what the crowd over there makes of their music. Even if that trip doesn’t act as their breakthrough, it can only be a matter of time before they get the audiences they deserve. You somehow feel the bigger the audience they play to, the bigger and bolder the performance is going to be. Smouldering and almost on fire!

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Live Reviews 2009