Samantha Fish
- Rock Metal Machine
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Artists: Samantha Fish / The Zac Schulze Gang
Venue: Barbican (York)
Date: 27 February 2026
"Any Blues purists in the crowd barely had time to brace themselves before Fish tore straight into a feral, full‑throttle take on the MC5’s ‘Kick Out The Jams’, a choice that felt less like an opener and more like a declaration of war. "
A surge of Blues Rock adrenaline hit the room the moment The Zac Schulze Gang walked onstage, and what followed was the kind of tight, high‑voltage set that explains exactly why Samantha Fish keeps bringing them back (this their third tour with Fish). For a trio formed in Gillingham in 2020, they play with the swagger, cohesion and lived‑in grit of a band twice their age, and tonight they delivered a performance that felt both feral and finely honed, in equal measures.
Zac Schulze remains the focal point, a frontman who plays like he’s plugged directly into the mains. There’s a Gary Moore‑esque fire in his phrasing, but it’s fused with that Wilko Johnson jack-in-a-box attack, all sharp angles and restless energy. Behind him, Ant Greenwell and sibling Ben Schulze form a rhythm section that’s not just supportive but propulsive, constantly pushing the songs forward with muscle and personality.
The setlist moved with purpose, alternating between speed, swagger and slow‑burn tension. ‘High Roller’ was a blistering opener, fast and breathless, immediately setting the tone. ‘Woman’, featured a Greenwell bass solo, fluid and melodic, with Ben Schulze locking in tight behind him. ‘Walking The Dog’ (Rufus Thomas) was arguably the best of tonight’s covers, slowed down into a swampy, bluesy strut that let Zac stretch out and show his feel. ‘She Does It Right’ (Dr. Feelgood) was raw, ragged and clearly heartfelt, a nod to Wilko Johnson delivered with reverence and bite, whilst ‘Hole In My Pocket’, from their EP, saw Greenwell stepping up to the mic and proving he’s more than just the low‑end anchor. ‘Ballyshannon Blues’, an ode to the band’s love of Guinness (nothing wrong with that) was delivered with charm and a pint‑raised grin. ‘Hellhounds On My Trail’ (Tony Dowler) was dark, driving and atmospheric, showing the band’s ability to shift mood without losing momentum. “One more?” enquired the frontman. ‘Oh Well’ (Fleetwood Mac) followed, the encore they absolutely earned; played fast, furious and with a sense of abandon that brought the house down.
Zac’s guitar work is the kind that makes you lean forward instinctively. He doesn’t just bend notes, he strangles the living daylights out of them, shakes them, wrings every ounce of emotion out of them. There’s a wildness to his playing, but it’s never sloppy; it’s the sound of a musician who knows exactly how far he can push before the whole thing explodes. Watching him is like watching someone hand a hyperactive kid a bag of sweets and a bottle of fizzy pop and then letting him loose on a six‑string. It’s chaotic, joyful and utterly compelling. The Zac Schulze Gang didn’t just warm up the crowd, they ignited it.
Setlist (contains spoilers)
High Roller / Woman / Walking The Dog / She Does It Right / Ballyshannon Blues / Hellhounds On My Trail / Oh Well
Gallery: All photos © Richard Davies (used with kind permission)
Samantha Fish hit the stage with the kind of intent that tells you she’s not here to warm up, she’s here to detonate! Flanked by her razor‑tight rhythm section of bassist Jay Johnson and drummer Jamie Douglass (JD), with Mickey Finn adding colour and swagger on keys, she cut a striking figure in a black leather catsuit and stacked heels, her Marilyn‑Monroe‑meets‑Midwest‑Rock‑queen look commanding the room before she’d even played a note.
Any Blues purists in the crowd barely had time to brace themselves before Fish tore straight into a feral, full‑throttle take on the MC5’s ‘Kick Out The Jams’, a choice that felt less like an opener and more like a declaration of war. The title track from her Grammy‑nominated ‘Paper Doll’ opus followed, reminding everyone why the album sits in the Contemporary Blues category even though the word “contemporary” could easily be swapped for “ROCK” without missing a beat.
Fish urged the crowd to raise the volume ahead of ‘I’m Done Runnin’’ and the irresistibly hook‑laden ‘Better Be Lonely’, the latter dripping with Blues DNA even as it strutted with modern swagger. ‘Sweet Southern Sounds’ was a personal highlight, its solo delivered with the kind of fire that makes you forget to breathe. Slide guitar took centre stage on ‘Lose You’, before the tempo eased into the stunning ‘Don’t Say It’, where Fish’s Kansas City twang wrapped itself around a slow‑burning finale that felt almost cinematic.
The small‑box guitar made its anticipated appearance for the Southern Rock bruiser ‘Bulletproof’, Fish switching between two microphones, one for the verses, one for the explosive chorus; like a gunslinger choosing her weapon. More slide heroics followed, and after ‘Miles To Go’ she dropped to her knees for a brooding, smoke‑shrouded ‘Fortune Teller’, the dry ice curling around her as the song erupted into another volcanic ending.
When an over‑enthusiastic punter shouted something unintelligible between songs, Fish shot back with a perfectly timed, “I have no clue what you’re saying,” earning a roar of laughter before diving into ‘Somebody’s Always Trying’. Finn’s keys shimmered beautifully here, while Fish once again took to her knees mid‑solo, rising only when the moment demanded it.
Recent Planet Rock playlist favourite ‘Rusty Razor’ underlined her Rock credentials with authority, and ‘Dream Girl’ soared with an almost epic sense of scale. The band briefly exited before returning with Zac Shulze for a ten‑minute, sweat‑drenched Blues Rock blowout of ‘Black Wind Howlin’’, a finale that felt less like a closing number and more like a victory lap.
Setlist (contains spoilers)
Kick Our The Jams / Paper Doll / I’m Done Runnin’ / Better Be Lonely / Sweet Southern Sounds / Lose You / Don’t Say It / Bulletproof / Miles To Go / Fortune Teller / Somebody’s Always Trying / Rusty Razor / Dream Girl
Encore: Black Wind Howlin’
Gallery: All photos © Richard Davies (used with kind permission)
Review: Mark Donnelly
Photos: Richard Davies
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