Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse "Hot Nostalgia Radio Live" UK Tour . The Rum Shack, Glasgow. Tuesday 2nd December, 2025

It wasn't my intention to attend this gig. I initially declined the offer. However, an extra ticket was purchased, so I went anyway. And I'm glad I did. It was a good night.

I'd never been to The Rum Shack before. Located on the south side, this bar features a downstairs performance area that has a capacity of 270. As with all the best basement dives, the ceiling is low, the walls are black, and you can imagine how smoky it would have been back in the day. An ideal environment for a band like Beaux Gris Gris, who thrive on musicianship, finding a groove and playing with it.

Rather than try to describe their music, I'll let others do it for me.

From their website: Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (pronounced \bo\ \gree-gree\ ) California-based roots rock (blending Blues Rock Americana, Country, and Soul) band created and led by Louisiana-born-and-raised musician Greta Valenti and UK British Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Robin Davey.

Due to the band’s cross-Atlantic touring, The Apocalypse comprises various talented musicians from across the globe. Joined by the talents of music industry heavyweights such as Tom Rasulo Drums (USA/UK) OR Alex Thomas (Anna Calvi, Bat For Lashes, Squarepusher) (UK) on Drums; Emma Jonson (UK) & Sam Robertson (USA) or Daniel Kirkpatrick (USA) on Keys, plus Stephen Mildwater (UK) and Chris Cunningham (USA) on Bass. Plus various other collaborations and guest appearances.

To fully understand Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse, experience the band live. With a mix of soulful songs, intense energy, and world-class award-winning musicianship, RhythmBooze summed up the show finale as “A mind-boggling, blistering finish with everything thrown in, including the kitchen sink...truly memorable”. When LouderSounds preaches “Let Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse twist yer melons and remind you of the wonder of life” it might be because the band vibe is easier to pin down than their unique take on the roots genres. Rockshot Magazine elaborates, “This extremely entertaining collective is a New Orleans-inspired, American blues-folk-soul band, who refuse to be pigeon-holed”.

No support act tonight, just Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse for over two hours. When I've seen them before, their stage presentation has always been glitzy, with wacky clothing, glitter and beard colouration. Not tonight. They came dressed for winter. Robin, the guitarist, even wore a scarf, albeit a sparkly one, his traditional gambler hat swapped for a newsie cap. Greta wore a dark T-shirt and left off her usual war paint, adopting a fresh-faced look.

Greta Valenti

Robin Davey

The band were tight. Songs that sounded passable on the album took on a whole new life when performed live. When they got their groove on, it was amazing to watch them switch lead roles, balancing between the keyboards, the organ, the saxophone and the guitar. They all visibly appear to be having fun, despite the small audience (less than a third full).

The lighting was a bit unusual, cycling through a kaleidoscope of colour, painting them green, then red, then back to white at times. With it being a low stage and a flat floor, the view was adequate, but I didn't attempt to video any of their songs, leaving that to the punters at the front. It was good to forget all that and just listen to the music.

It was nice that the band varied the setlist from the previous night in Edinburgh, given that a number of hardcore fans had also attended that gig, too. It showed how good they were. At the time of writing, it has not yet been updated on setlist.fm.

Setlist:

Trouble is Coming

What's My Name

Heartbreaker

Gris Gris

Bungalow Paradise

When My Baby was Rich

Thrill Me

I'm on Fire (Bruce Springsteen cover)

Louisiana Good Ride

Baby Baby

Fill Me Up