Richie Kotzen, 9th June 2024, Pumpehuset, Copenhagen

Photo: Zoran www.sonic-shot.com

Last year Richie Kotzen guested Pumpehusert in Copenhagen together with The Winery Dogs and shortly after the band’s drummer Mike Portnoy announced his return to Dream Theater and Kotzen announced his European solo tour, where he was set to take a very same venue. This of course puts The Winery Dogs on an indefinite hiatus.
The Winery Dogs packed the place last year, but this chill Sunday evening in Copenhagen, the venue was only half filed.

With no support band, Kotzen and his band consisting of bassist Dylan Wilson and drummer Kyle Hughes took the stage and opened with “Losing My Mind” from Get Up, which this year celebrates its 20-year anniversary.

Off the bat, the band sounded really good, although the levels on Kotzen’s voice did vary depending on where in the venue you were placed. But overall, there was a good balance to the band’s sound.

There was a kind of laid-back atmosphere in the crowd, and it’s something Kotzen commented already after the first song, and while that might not be the optimal scenario for a rock concert it did seem fitting for the crowd and the band as well. As the main man put it, “Sunday vibes” before correcting himself “Perhaps a more appropriate would be to call it an intimate evening”. And it was, especially comparing to the band’s performance the days before at Sweden Rock open air festival.

But it didn’t seem to matter all that much, especially during the slower songs, the funky ones and of course during those mesmerising guitar solos. And speaking of guitar, Kotzen’s playing doesn’t really need an introduction, and if you are familiar with it, you know that it comes even more to life in a live setting. Last night’s show underlined that as well. Kotzen shines, whether he plays with The Winery Dogs, Smith/Kotzen or anyone else, but it’s as if he’s most in his element when performing solo. The focus is on him, and he thrives in it. At the same time, he’s backed by an outstanding rhythm section whose importance is crucial yet fairly anonymous.

Also, sonically, Kotzen’s live music and live band breathe more and there seems to be more room for music to bounce and groove. There is generally something about one guitar, one bass and drums in a live setting and additionally so when it comes to bluesy, funky rock music Kotzen plays. Add to that eminent sound and what you get is a really present and warm musical experience.

Kotzen’s impressive technical skill can’t be overrated, but what impresses the most live is his feel, involvement and tone. Oh, that tone. It is so his own and that without using countless guitar effects. For the most part, he relies on his guitar and amp and this ability to channel his feelings through his fingerpicking playing. Experiencing that live is so overwhelming that one easily forgets the sheer technical skill that lies behind it.

“Fooled Again” was a must, “Dogs” was utterly gorgeous and “Fear” with its extended guitar solo/jam section served as a stepping stone for the band members to get more into the music, this evening. “Doin’ What the Devil Says to Do” and the first song of the encore “Remember” had shivers-up-the-spine quality to them.

On the other hand, however, taking into the consideration that there was no supporting band this evening and the fact that the man has a massive back catalogue, 80 minutes long show, could’ve been a bit longer. He plays this part of the world rarely, and it would serve him well with at least 20 additional minutes. Then he could include a few songs from some of his many albums and perhaps even include a song from his Smith/Kotzen project or one of those covers, he’s so good at. Did anyone say, “Sara Smile”?

Overall, Kotzen and co. gave the Copenhagen crowd a good evening in their company, but a bit more of it with especially a deep-cut or two would make it all better. Korzen rarely visits Denmark and judging on underwhelming crowd size and the fact that a big portion of them were from Sweden as well as foreigners, it’s unlikely that we’ll see Kotzen headline a show in Denmark any time soon. That was perhaps another reason for him to give his Danish fans a bit more this Sunday evening. Oh well, at least what the crowd did get was a rather good representation of this man’s talents.