There’s a particular kind of mythology that follows Kiefer Sutherland wherever he goes. For most people, he’s the gravel‑voiced force of nature who anchored 24, Stand By Me, The Lost Boys, and a lifetime of iconic screen moments. But step into a venue like Exeter Phoenix and you quickly realise that Sutherland isn’t here to trade on Hollywood nostalgia. He’s here as a songwriter, a bandleader, and a man with stories to tell, the kind carved from late‑night highways, bruised memories, and the quiet truths that only surface when the cameras stop rolling.

His new single Goodbye California, a wistful, dust‑blown farewell to the place that shaped him, arrives ahead of his fourth album Grey, due May 29th via Maple Creek Records (PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE HERE). Produced alongside heavyweights like Ethan Johns, Rocco DeLuca and Mark Neill, the record promises a deeper, more reflective chapter in Sutherland’s musical journey. And with his UK and European tour already underway, these songs are beginning their life where they belong: onstage, in front of people who want to hear the man behind the myth.

On Saturday 23rd May, he brought that world to Exeter Phoenix, a room perfectly sized for the kind of intimate, lived‑in storytelling he thrives on. It’s a chance to see Sutherland not as the action hero or the Hollywood renegade, but as a musician who has earned his place on the road, one night, one crowd, one song at a time.

I mentioned above that I found myself wondering before the show even began whether the crowd at Exeter Phoenix tonight were here for Kiefer Sutherland the musician, or Kiefer Sutherland the actor, but by 7:20pm, with bodies spilling out the door for a 7:30 entry time, it was clear that whatever brought people here, they were fully committed. The venue was heaving, the busiest it’s felt in a long while.

Irish singer‑songwriter Colin Andrew opened the night with a set that was as heartfelt as it was humorous. He joked that he’d researched Exeter and couldn’t find any famous musicians from the city, only later discovering that Chris Martin hailed from the area — a revelation that led him straight into a warmly received cover of Yellow. He spoke candidly about earlier dates on the tour feeling like “social clubs” full of chatter, but praised Exeter for being attentive and welcoming, even joking that he might move here permanently. Someone in the crowd shouted that they had a spare room, which only added to the easy rapport he built with the audience.

His songs, performed solo on acoustic guitar, were stripped back and honest, including one he’d written for his girlfriend before leaving for the tour — a song she apparently didn’t like. With a grin, he explained that he now had to sell more merch to win her back. He closed his set by tossing his jacket into the crowd, only for his roadie to demand it back. The fan who caught it proudly announced he’d checked the pockets first. It was a charming, disarming performance that set the tone perfectly for the night ahead.

After a short break, Kiefer’s four‑piece band took their places, followed by Sutherland himself, Telecaster in hand and looking completely at ease. The first three songs flew by in a blur of energy, beginning with Down Below, followed by a gritty, roots‑tinged take on Garbage’s I’m Only Happy When It Rains. The first new track of the evening, Goodbye California, offered a glimpse into his forthcoming album Grey. He introduced it as a thank‑you to the state that had treated him kindly over the years before he moved back east.

The band was tight and confident, with the rhythm guitarist switching between electric and pedal steel, adding a warm, dreamy Americana sheen to the set. Sutherland looked comfortable, relaxed, and fully in command of the stage.

Throughout the night, Kiefer spoke with an easy charm, comparing his new album to parenting: “You shouldn’t have favourites… but you do.” One of those favourites was Come Back Down, which stood out as one of the evening’s most affecting moments. The new material leaned more heavily into Americana than the country‑rock sound of his earlier records, offering songs with more depth, more weight, and a stronger sense of identity. It felt like the work of an artist who has truly found his voice.

A snapped guitar string briefly threatened to interrupt the flow, but his guitar tech executed a lightning‑fast changeover, restringing and returning the guitar with impressive speed.

The set continued with a muscular, southern‑rock‑infused rendition of Can’t You See by The Marshall Tucker Band, a cover that slotted so naturally into the setlist it could easily have been one of his own compositions. American Farmer followed, dedicated to the hardworking farming communities who struggle to keep their livelihoods afloat. Before Simpler Time, Kiefer joked that he didn’t want to sound like “one of those miserable muppets on the balcony,” adding that he had no real reason to be miserable when looking back on his life.

The stage was a guitar lover’s paradise, boasting enough Gibsons, Fenders and Rickenbackers to challenge Angus Young to a guitar‑off. Among the new tracks, Love Will Bring You Home, co‑written with guitarist Ashley Wilson, stood out as a tender, beautifully delivered moment. Two Stepping in Time, penned by Kiefer himself, lifted the room with its upbeat, dance‑along energy, while This Is How It’s Done kept the momentum high with its barnstorming swagger.

After a brief exit, the band returned for an encore that began with a long, atmospheric instrumental build‑up, eventually blooming into a brooding, dramatic cover of Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight. Kiefer had requested the stage be kept dark for this moment, and the effect was powerful. The night closed with Starlight, a slower, pedal‑steel‑soaked track that demanded the audience’s full attention. A wah‑wah‑drenched guitar solo brought the evening to a fiery close.

Tonight, Kiefer Sutherland didn’t feel like an actor dabbling in music, he felt like a seasoned, confident musician with a band capable of delivering a rich, compelling Americana experience. If the new songs showcased tonight are any indication, fans are in for something special when Grey arrives. He remains on the UK leg of the tour until 1 June, before heading back to the US to play further dates to a home crowd. Based on tonight’s performance, those audiences are in for a treat.