ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK + SAM MORROW @ O2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE 18TH APRIL 2026
Proudly from Orange County, California, yet steeped in the classic sounds of the American South, Robert Jon and the Wreck are unlikely anglophiles. Since becoming one of the very first American acts to fly over post-COVID (my first sighting of them at the 100 Club remains a memorable one), they’ve returned again and again. Their fanbase—largely of a more mature persuasion, shall we say—has grown accordingly, to the extent that this was their biggest London show yet, at the prestigious Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
The previous night had seen a rather unusual pairing in Tyketto and Warrior Soul. In contrast, tonight’s support was far more aligned with the headline act. Sam Morrow, hailing from Nashville, immediately won me over with a vintage mullet. If that screamed eighties, then the swampy grooves he and his band conjured up were pure seventies—somewhere between Little Feat and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The latter comparison extended to his band T-shirt and his bassist’s uncanny resemblance to Leon Wilkeson.
The only issue was that, while the sound and vibe—particularly on opener On My Way—were undeniably appealing, the songs felt a little too samey. Mid-paced and lacking in memorable hooks, the set never quite lifted. The fact that an impressive cover of Have a Cigar stood out as the highlight wasn’t the best sign.
It felt slightly unusual seeing Robert Jon and the Wreck on a stage of this size as they opened with Pain No More, prominently showcasing the slide guitar work of Henry James, one of the finest contemporary players around. That continued into the slightly Black Crowes-esque Blame It On The Whiskey, which also featured some impressive band interplay during the extended outro.
Much of the first half of the set leaned on more recent material, which I was less familiar with. Either side of a fast and frantic Sittin’ Pretty, tracks like Back To The Beginning Again, Ashes In The Snow, and the title track from their latest album Heartbreak and Last Goodbye felt a little slow and downbeat. At this point, the show seemed to lack the spark we’ve come to expect from them.
Vocally, Robert Jon Burrison possesses that classic Southern drawl, not unlike Henry Paul of The Outlaws. With his face obscured beneath a wide-brimmed hat, he remains a frontman of few words. He did, however, introduce a song that had never been played live before—Arroyo, from their latest compilation Wreckage Volume 3. It featured some Gregg Allman-style organ work from Jake Abernathie, before giving way to a soaring guitar solo.
From that relatively sedate opening, the pace began to shift. The funky Red Moon Rising, complete with a very seventies-style synth solo and a segue into Eminence Front, lifted the energy levels significantly. Old Friend followed with a warm Southern soul and R&B feel, more slide guitar, and an almost gospel-like singalong.
Another fan favourite, Glory Bound, was a lengthy slow burner, with Robert Jon Burrison joining Henry James for some twin guitar passages. By now, the crowd was fully onside, setting the stage for the night’s biggest moment—Oh Miss Carolina. The band dropped the volume to let the audience take over entirely before Jake Abernathie’s piano guided things back.
As ever, they closed the main set with the epic Cold Night. Across its sprawling 14 minutes, it delivered everything a Southern rock fan could want: Allman Brothers Band-style harmonies, a stunning extended solo from Henry James worthy of Allen Collins, and a back-and-forth between guitar and keys that never lost momentum.
One of the joys of seeing this band repeatedly is the unpredictability of the setlist—it shifts noticeably night to night, even within the same tour. The encore was something special. Sam Morrow returned with his band, joined by Joe Coombs (known for his work with Laura Evans and Demi Marriner) for a joyous, full-throttle take on Call Me The Breeze (yes, we know that’s a cover too). With five guitarists on stage, it could have descended into chaos—but to their credit, the sound remained tight and controlled.
The slow start was long forgotten by the end. This turned out to be a thoroughly memorable show. With further UK dates already lined up for June and October 2026, Robert Jon and the Wreck remain a band well worth catching. In contrast to current diplomatic tensions, their special relationship with the UK shows no sign of ending any time soon.
WORDS: ANDY NATHAN PHOTOS: ROBERT SUTTON
Further Tour Dates 2026
June 18 – Picturedrome, Holmfirth
June 19 – LoveRocks Festival, Dorset
October 2 – Junction, Cambridge
October 3 – Rock City, Nottingham
October 4 – O2 Academy 2, Liverpool
October 6 – Bristol Trinity
October 7 – Project House, Leeds
October 8 – O2 Academy, Oxford
