Thursday 09th May 2024
Location: Cleeres Bar and Theatre, 28 Parliament Street, Kilkenny
As the lead singer of Kasabian – helping sell over four million albums – Tom Meighan’s unmistakable vocals are a central, many would say essential, component on timeless tracks like ‘Fire,’ ‘Club Foot,’ and ‘Shoot the Runner,’ to name only three.
On the back of five number one albums with his old band, Tom fronted headline festival shows across Europe – including Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading – and won NME, Q, and Mojo awards, as well as a Brit. Tom Meighan had it all. Bona fide British rock royalty.
But a much-publicised fall from grace saw Tom ousted from Kasabian and – in his own words – “A couple of years that were the lowest of my life. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get on stage again.”
Marriage, therapy, and that while in the wilderness have done wonders for wild-man Tom though.
His first solo album – 2023’s ‘The Reckoning’ – with brand-new collaborators, was clearly part of his healing process and heralded the emergence of a more reflective man. Here was a fallen rockstar, older and wiser, baring his scars and grief for all to see through new songs, and part of a new musical clan.
And, whilst cancel culture still loomed large – meaning radio play was almost non-existent for ‘The Reckoning’ – even The Sun took the time to say, “The crooning vocals of the title track reveal a man who has done a lot of soul searching, and the result is a slow burn epic, simmering with emotion.”
Classic Pop Magazine agreed, adding, “Determined to make a fresh start, ‘The Reckoning’ is the best answer a newly focused Meighan could give on where his future belongs.”
So, the tide began to turn for Tom Meighan in 2023, with no clearer example than his championing by Noel Gallagher who had Tom as support on a UK arena tour in December. And Noel was vindicated too – Meighan had those arenas close to capacity EVERY night.
Another solo album and headline tour are to come in Autumn 2024, but in the meantime – off the back of his highly praised RAW ’24 acoustic tour – Tom and his new five-piece band play a wealth of summer shows, including the Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday 22nd June, and Audley End with Richard Ashcroft on August 3rd.
Facing large festival and arena crowds is where Tom Meighan is at home. He’s a captivating frontman, empowered by every square foot of the stage when he performs. Almost like he’s plugged into the sound system himself, not just his microphone. Part of the electrics. A genuine live wire.
And his latest live show is an unapologetic rock set from start to finish. Yes, it’s tempered by some more mature material – proving that Tom can do tender as well as tumultuous – but he now brings fresh life to even those Kasabian classics that liberally pepper his set. And his brand-new bangers smartly retain those terrace style chanting choruses, those danceable guitar riffs, and a stadium worthy groove too.
Risen from the ashes of his former life, Tom Meighan is still worth seeing – and hearing – in the flesh.
Check him out.
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