New Rough Trade signing Benjamin Booker impresses on London debut

Sporting a baseball cap throughout the gig, Booker and drummer Max Norton blasted through a sweaty set that climaxed with a stage invasion after Booker had invited members of the audience to become his backing dancers during a cover of Otis Redding’s “Shout Bamalama”.

New single “Violent Shiver” was met with the biggest response of the evening, leading onto “Have You Seen My Son?” where Booker threw his beer at the crowd before throwing his guitar off the stage and sauntering off without a word.

Things are moving quickly for the young man from New Orleans and show no signs of slowing down any time soon – he’s been snapped up by Rough Trade, Jack White has hand-picked him to join him on tour, and Tame Impala have also voiced their approval.

Setlist

Young, Lost, + Hungry
Always Waiting
Old Hearts
Even Though
Happy Homes
Kids Never Grow Older
Wicked Waters
Chippewa Blues
Shout Bamalama (Otis Redding cover)
Spoon Out My Eyeballs
Violent Shiver
Have You Seen My Son?