LIVE REVIEW: Walter Trout / Cam Cole - Tramshed, Cardiff 7th May 2025


At the age of 74, and having undergone a liver transplant 11 years ago, one might forgive Walter Trout for hanging up his white Fender Strat and enjoying retirement in Denmark with his wife and family. Not a bit of it. Tonight, the Blues legend from New Jersey is back in Cardiff with his incredible band and for over 90-minutes holds the audience in the palm of his hand. 

It’s Cam Cole who gets the honour of opening the evening. A one-man band of sorts, his blend of Delta Blues, Grunge and Rock is easy on the ear and whilst he’s slightly restrained due to playing drums and awesome slide at the same time, Cole is captivating throughout his 30-minute set. 


He’s a curious animal. A cross between Johnny Depp’s Edward Scissorhands and The Mad Hatter, he’s a whirlwind of focus. Playing drums with your feet whilst scorching the fretboard with your hands is no easy style, but the man nails it. The Londoner who appeared on Ted Lasso is skilled and confident and holds the Tramshed’s early arrivals attention with ease. He’s joined by a percussionist who dips on and off the stage to great effect. 


Having toured with Massive Wagons and Florence Black in recent times, it’s easy to see why Cole has such confidence. Someone who could well become big in the Blues scene; definitely one to watch. 

Sober for 38 years, it’s probably realistic to say that Walter Trout is another rock legend who might have not made it this far without applying the brakes. He spends time throughout the evening reliving times on the road with his mentor, John Mayall, a man who nurtured Trout and helped shape his guitar work for decades to come.


Trout hits the stage with little fanfare and launches into the first of several elongated Blues workouts. Even though some of the songs are not familiar, it’s impossible not to be drawn in by his soulful and vibrant playing. He’s backed by a band of international reputation, from new prodigy Brett Smith-Daniels on guitar, to the seasoned road warriors Richard T Bear on keys, bassist John Alvia and drummer Michael Leasure, this is a joy to stand and watch. 




There’s a fair amount of banter, plenty of laughs, and the odd heckle. Overall, the Wednesday night crowd is respectful of the great man, who peels out solos with so little effort one genuinely wonders if he really is 74. “I feel like I’m 25 when I’m playing” he says, “but 95 when I stop”. There are a few in the audience who can relate to that for sure. Trout is big on stories. John McVie, Mick Taylor, Joe Bonamassa, they are all in the list of stories he shares as the night progresses. 



There are a few poignant statements. He’s at pains to point out that the USA is not in a good place, reassures us that being a good human being isn’t hard, and shares the love. It’s all great stuff, but it’s with his fretwork that Trout really shines. Few guitarists can match his emotive playing, and as he cruises through a set that dips into the recent Broken album as well as older classics like Saw My Mama Cryin’. We have some special guests too. Will Wilde joins Trout on the boogie of Bleed from Broken, where Wilde plays Harmonica, whilst local hero Joe Oliver also appears for a song. 


For the fan, I’m sure this was another affirmation that Trout is one of the all-time classic Blues musicians. For the newbie and curious, the first step on a journey to discover so much music. For all, it is an evening of fantastic music.

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