American roots band Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, tipped by many to be the next to make a big breakthrough in Europe, return to the UK later this month for a string of dates that will include a visit to Theatr Mwldan on Thursday 16 June at 7.30pm.
Hailing from Kentucky, twenty-something Pokey LaFarge is steeped in old time American music, a throwback to the days of medicine shows, guitar-picking troubadours, battered suitcases and Highway 61. He is a dapper bantamweight in a pork pie hat who has acquired the voice of a man three times his age and four times his size.
With his band, The South City Three, Pokey has been kicking up quite a storm at his live shows and when you hear the ragged glories he knocks out on his acoustic six-string you know there’s more than just showbiz glitz to this critter!
Last year, they made their UK debut with appearances at Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Jack White of The White Stripes has just recorded and produced a single for the band on his own Third Man Records label, and declared himself a fan.
Channeling, gospel, blues and folk Pokey’s a great showman and a dexterous instrumentalist – harmonica, guitar, banjo and kazoo all take a beating – and throws out a timeless sound that could date from any period in the last 80 years.
On its release, their Riverboat Soul album went straight to the Number 5 slot on the influential American indie roots chart then last month went on to carry off the Americana Album of The Year title in the prestigious US Independent Music Awards.
“There are a lot of bands heading down the lively old-timey musical route right now but LaFarge and his men raise themselves to the first rank by virtue of their winning combination of joie de vivre, chops, humour, irresistible danceability and sheer fun”. Maverick magazine
Catch the Uber-cool Pokey LaFarge and The South City Three at Theatr Mwldan on Thursday 16 June at 7.30pm, tickets are £12.50 (£11) and are available from Theatr Mwldan’s Box Office on 01239 621200 or book online at www.mwldan.co.uk
Pokey LaFarge performing “Pack It Up” live at Music City Roots on 4.20.2011
