Live Review

Guitar genius Kaki King played to an ever-faithful crowd at her Thursday night gig at Londons legendary Jazz Caf.

At the start of the third song, hairy drummer Matt Hankle dropped his sticks, followed by Kakis benevolent laugh. Thats the only train wreck of this entire tour!, she jokes. Introducing him, she beckoned to the crowd, someone get this man a shot of JD!

The experimental singer-songwriter has been celebrated by the lives of Dave Grohl and toured with Foo Fighters last year. Although not particularly mainstream, the talented madam has recorded five albums and has been compared to legends Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.

The intimate Camden show was the final date of an exhausting tour for Kaki, backing Dan Brantigan (vox/synths) and Matt on drums. The talkative Kaki (full name Katherine Elizabeth King) bantered throughout the night, explaining how Dans vox works to her dedicated fans amid shouts of marry me Kaki! The tour, which began in Australia and included Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria concludes what feels like four years for Kaki and friends.

The awesome set included Pull Me Out Alive (a quieter version resounding of vulnerability Kakis whispery voice), Happy As A Dear Pig In The Sunshine, Ingots, You Dont Have To Be Afraid, and Doing The Wrong Thing providing hypnotised onlookers with a mix of vocal and instrumental tracks.

Partway through the set, one of Kakis live staples false nails fell off. Joking, she pulls nail glue from her pocket and informs her audience that they will have to endure her banter for three minutes while the replacement sets, to a wolf whistle. How can you play with those nails? one fan shoutsto which she chuckles and responds, its the whole f*cking point! before recalling a story about how Dan broke a bone trying to pull a girl in Adelaide at the start of their tour.

Three minutes up and a story about the G20 protests and border control later, guitar back in hand, Ms King was back on it, describing her music as rhythmic pornography. Downing a beer to the drums, Kaki continued playing to the end of the set.

After a short encore of two songs, our host admits shes run out of time. Fans were left feeling a little bewildered that she didnt play her acclaimed rendition of Justin Timberlakes Lovestoned, but yknow. Shed just better play it next time.