I recently attended, back on May 21st, an intimate acoustic gig titled “An Evening with King King” at The Harlington Centre in Fleet. It was part of their acoustic tour featuring Alan Nimmo, Stevie Nimmo, and Jonny Dyke, offering a stripped-back yet soul-stirring version of their hits and fan favourites (theharlington.co.uk).
I originally discovered King King through their track Rush Hour, which popped up on Spotify maybe 5 or 6 years ago. I was instantly drawn to their blues-rock sound. Then in 2023, I attended a one-day rock festival called StoneDead, where King King happened to be on the bill. Their presence at the festival was one of the reasons I decided to go, alongside a few other bands I wanted to catch. Seeing them live at that event left a lasting impression—and when I saw they were playing an acoustic show just down the road in Fleet, it felt like a great opportunity to experience them in a different light.
Pre-show Drinks & Venue Vibes
We kicked off the evening at the Oaksheaf for a couple of beers before making the short walk to the venue. The Harlington was set up cabaret-style—long rectangular tables facing the stage with about 200 to 250 seats. A well-appointed bar, featuring, amongst other beers, Hogs Back brewery TEA, at the back meant easy access to refreshments throughout the performance . Initially the vibe was friendly but reserved; clearly composed of devoted King King fans who were curious yet cautious about the new acoustic format.
The Performance
Once on stage, the three-piece—Alan (guitar & lead vocals), Stevie (guitar & vocals), and Jonny (keyboards)—brought rich, acoustic reinterpretations of their rock–blues material, peppered with stories from life on the road. That storytelling moment helped the audience warm up and connect deeply with the music.
A standout highlight was the acoustic rendition of “When My Winter Comes” from the Maverick album—it sent shivers down my spine. This slower, more intimate version brought out an emotional depth that absolutely captivated the whole room. Even if I’d heard it before, I’d never appreciated its power until that night.
A Memorable Meet & Greet
After the show, we had the chance to chat with Alan, Stevie, and Jonny. I grabbed a limited-edition orange vinyl of Maverick and got it signed right there! I don’t usually buy vinyl, but that moment made it feel special—and yes, it’s already spinning at home, not just a display piece.
About Maverick
While Maverick is rooted in blues–rock, it’s praised for its expansive songwriting range. Critics highlighted the vocal and instrumental cohesion across tracks—Essi Berelian for Louder Sound described it as “a superlative demonstration of songwriting prowess” and called When My Winter Comes one of the standout ballads (loudersound.com). The Rockpit and Metal Planet Music also praised the album’s heartfelt melodies and classic rock influence (therockpit.net).
Final Thoughts
It was a great evening—laid-back, heartfelt, and musically potent. Stripping down their sound didn’t dilute King King’s power, it amplified it. The storytelling, stellar performances, audience energy, and unique vinyl all came together to make it one of those gigs you’ll remember for years.
If you’re a fan or just curious, keep an eye out for King King’s next acoustic dates—they’re tailor-made for quieter venues like The Harlington. And if you haven’t listened to Maverick, start with When My Winter Comes—it might just stick with you like it did with me.
References & Further Reading
- Event details on The Harlington website (theharlington.co.uk)
- King King’s official bio (en.wikipedia.org)
- Maverick album reviews: Louder Sound (loudersound.com), Metal Planet Music (metalplanetmusic.com)