Live Report: Bishop Gunn at Dublin's BelloBar

Bishop Gunn promised a raw rock ‘n’ roll experience at their European debut performance, and they certainly followed through. Combining the best parts of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s edgy southern rock sound with the soulful tones of Chris Stapleton, the Mississippi-based four-piece blew away an incredible crowd that contained just the right amount of cowboy boots.

Lead singer and harmonica player Travis McCready could barely be contained to the BelloBar’s intimate stage. In a baseball cap and a pair of the most colourful trousers you’ve probably ever seen, his bluesy vocals and energy commanded attention. Drummer Burne Sharp also brought forward an incredible charisma and talent from behind the kit.

The setlist, mostly taken off the group’s debut album, Natchez, embodied the famous Muscle Shoals sound to a degree of authenticity that’s not seen very often. Hits like ‘Devil Is A Woman’, ‘Shine’ and ‘Alabama’ rocked the crowd – who had no trouble matching Bishop Gunn’s energy on every song.

In an unexpected, but not unwelcome move, the southern rockers capped the night off with a cover of The Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude’ for the encore. For the crowd, a couple of who claimed to have travelled all the way from the States for the show, Bishop Gunn more than delivered. In an era of truly awful 'bro-country', the group's effortlessly authentic approach to soulful, blues-infused country-rock is a blessing.

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