Tuesday nights don’t typically scream '“rock ‘n’ roll”, but that didn’t stop Exeter Phoenix from buzzing with energy as Huey Morgan and his band took the stage. Supported by the fresh-faced indie-rock five-piece Twin City—making their Exeter debut—the night delivered a solid dose of groove, humor, and undeniable musicianship.
Twin City wasted no time proving their worth as openers. Their lively, upbeat indie rock, packed with killer licks and solos, quickly set the tone for the evening. Their chemistry was evident, working the stage with ease and warming up the crowd ahead of the main event. If this was their first time in Exeter, it certainly won’t be their last.
Then came Huey Morgan—the former Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman and BBC Radio 6 Music host—who, as expected, brought both swagger and charm to the proceedings. But before we even got to the music, an unexpected pantomime subplot took centre stage. His guitar technician, Nic, had a habit of sneaking up behind him mid-set, prompting Huey to turn the audience into an impromptu warning system. Like clockwork, each time she appeared, the crowd gleefully hollered, “She’s behind you!”—a lighthearted touch that added to the intimate, playful vibe of the night.
Of course, Huey’s set was packed with crowd-pleasers. Classics like Fun Lovin’ Criminal, King of New York, and Love Unlimited had the audience grooving along, while Huey himself proved he’s got more than just a radio-ready voice—throwing out blistering guitar solos with ease. Speaking of show-stealers, the Hammond keyboard player—an impressively hairy individual, even rivalling Jay from Kula Shaker—added depth and energy to the night, his fingers working their way across the keys like magic.
Later in the set, Smoke ‘Em stood out as a hypnotic highlight—laid-back yet trippy, its bass loop and jazzy guitar wrapped around a killer solo. Then came Methadonia, a deeply personal track for Huey, who shared that he wrote it during a point in his life where he was teetering on the edge of full-blown addiction. The honesty in his delivery hit hard.
Interestingly, the set also showcased a possible new direction for Huey, with a series of new tracks performed in a country style. Among them, Fall Into Me—an amusing tale about a dog, complete with darkly comedic lyrics about its early demise—and a dedication of Shaniqua to an audience member named Scarlett, given the unlikelihood of a real Shaniqua being in the building.
Closing out the evening with We Have All The Time In The World, a cover lifted from his Come Find Yourself album, Huey and the band left the crowd more than satisfied. Over 90 minutes of music, nostalgia, laughs, and stellar performances—what more could you ask for on a Tuesday night?
A fantastic gig, and one that proved Huey Morgan remains a true showman and a force to be reckoned with.
