Drake Milligan surpasses all expectations and brings an aural explosion hotter than the Georgia asphalt.
Naturally, the Islington Assembly Hall is packed to capacity on this sweltering night. The air is thick with anticipation, and a palpable energy vibrates through the highly expectant crowd.
Milligan’s audience, their lips quivering with excitement, buzzed with eagerness for his performance. Conversations blended into a harmonious murmur, punctuated by bursts of laughter and shouts of anticipation. The evening heat seemed to amplify the collective thrill as fans from all walks of life gathered for the final night of a three-night stint, ready to witness the musical magic about to unfold.
Before the big moment arrived, the support act, baby-faced, double-denimed country singer from Leeds, Luke Flear, took the stage and won the audience’s hearts and minds with his strong, rich, and powerful vocals, confident guitar picking and strumming, and smooth piano playing. The perspiring crowd tuned in easily to his warm, appealing set of original songs, with a great cover of Bon Jovi’s “Dead or Alive” thrown in for good measure. By the finale, they were singing along, enjoying the bonhomie of the sultry evening, and getting sweatier by the second.
And then, boom, here he is! Instantly, a strong connection with the crowd was forged, and a wave of euphoria swirled through the audience as he launched into a cover of Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes”—in true Elvis style, of course.
The comparison to Elvis is inevitable"
A night of high-energy performance was anticipated, and it was being delivered in spades with a mix of covers and original songs. Milligan’s setlist featured tributes to legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, alongside his own hits like “Bad Day To Be A Beer” and “Sounds Like Something I’d Do.” The comparison to Elvis is inevitable, and the audience has certainly made that clear! Milligan is a showman, not a snowman—a born entertainer whose ability to incorporate dance moves and engage with the audience with such humor is a standout element of his show. Drake Milligan is snake-hipped, sexy, sonorous, and sensational!
the audience absolutely adored him, completely captivated and mesmerized by his overwhelming aura"
Milligan used his stellar set with its balanced selection of songs to perfectly display his vocal prowess and stage charisma. New songs like “Slow Dancin’ to a Fast Song” and “How Much Beer” hinted at an evolving sound, maintaining his core style while impressing us with his infectious energy and flawless vocals. At times during his performance, we caught glimpses of the lightning bolts of the Mississippi Flash in his prime—the audience absolutely adored him, completely captivated and mesmerized by his overwhelming aura and dazzling performance.
the sweltering seated upstairs audience rose in a standing ovation at the end of the show"
Drake has a devastatingly dynamic stage presence, deep vocal talent, and a perfect blend of classic influences with a modern twist, ensuring this was a standout evening courtesy of one of the most exciting rising stars in country music today. To emphasize the uniqueness of this gig and something rarely seen here, the sweltering seated upstairs audience rose in a standing ovation at the end of the show. Everyone present united in their response to this versatile, engaging, and compelling artist, with love in their eyes and elation in their hearts.
Tonight’s performance truly surpassed expectations—Drake perfectly showcased his electrifying presence and deep connection with classic rock and country music, delivering a flawless performance. As the esteemed Jon Burrows once said, “exciting times…”
DRAKE MILLIGAN played Islington Assembly Hall on Friday 19th July
Support by Luke Flear
