LIVE REVIEW: The Karma Effect / Austin Gold, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff 12th September 2024

It’s a Thursday night in Cardiff and things aren’t looking that good in the lower venue at Clwb Ifor Bach as we arrive, 10 minutes before support act Austin Gold are due on stage. There are probably no more than 12 people in the room. Thankfully, it fills out to a more respectable number by the time the band hit the stage.

Thankfully, because this was a two-band gig that deserved many more punters watching. Maybe the attraction of Spike across the road at Fuel Rock Club was a factor. I’ve encountered openers Austin Gold before. The band led by David James Smith (vocals & guitar) held their own at the top of the mountain at Steelhouse 2023, and tonight they ensure that we are going to recall their efforts with an effusive and dynamic show that sees them roll out tracks from their first two alums, Before Dark Clouds and Those City Lights as well a couple of tempting newies from the forthcoming October release Ain’t No Saint. 

Austin Gold has a sound that does at times blend them with many of their genre, but it’s the keys of Adam Leon (who also wins the best gurns of the evening) that add the difference. The lush chords he delivers provide a thick retro feel to the band’s sound and allow James Smith to add some succulent guitar work without losing any heft in the middle sections. He’s also got the voice to carry the songs, full of soul and emotion. Yes, he plays the rock star, but hell, I want my musicians to have a bit about them. 

Full credit too to stand in bassist Paul Douglas, long-time fifth band member and no mean player, who not only rocks the best beard of the evening but also holds the low-end down with ease. It's Mountain that once again proves to be the standout track. It was the earworm last time I saw them and if every band needs an anthem, then this is Austin Gold’s moment. That doesn’t disparage from the new material, with latest single Hell or High Water certainly holding its own. Now in their eighth year, the progression is evident. Confident in their delivery, and most importantly, able to warm up a room who may not be familiar with their songs. The applause at the end demonstrated this in spades. Austin Gold is certainly one to watch.

They’ve been gigging for the past three years, released two albums including the top 20 album The Promised Land, and are on the verge of something special. The Karma Effect are another band making huge waves in the NWOCR movement and it’s with good cause. They enter the stage (having spent 10-minutes setting up) to Aerosmith, and one can instantly see why the US legends are used. The Karma Effect have that Tyler / Perry swagger about them, the ease and confidence to parade the small stage with a dynamism which already hints at bigger things to come. 

Harry Gottelier is the central pillar of the band, a twirling, swirling powerhouse who has the smoky rasp that sits so well with the band’s songs. He’s no mean guitar player either, switching lead breaks with Robbie Blake as the set progresses. It's all eyes on new keyboard player Jamie Bull who is only on his fifth show with the band, but his rich keys are on point, adding to the rip-snorting edge of this vibrant band. They play a thrilling set which combines tracks from their admittedly short career, which Henry tells us about later in the set. 

From the stomping start of Livin’ It Up and the earworm Doubt She’s Coming Back which instantly gets the temperature rising, via a stripped back version of Be My Salvation, and the inevitable fist pumps to Wild Honey and Testify, this is a set that oozes class. A deserved encore which they wisely do without the cumbersome attempt of climbing off stage to come back on climaxes with Promised Land.

Walking out into the autumnal evening, slightly moist from the heat generated, one wonders how long The Karma Effect will be playing venues of this size. I think of bands like Dirty Honey, now playing 1200+ capacity venues, and the answer must be, not long. Catch ‘em while you can, for The Karma Effect are surely going right to the top.

Review and photos by Hutch