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Review: Guitar supremo Nils Lofgren lights up the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells with a special acoustic show on Sunday, January 18

When I interviewed guitar wizard Nils Lofgren before he lit up the Assembly Hall Theatre last night, I asked how he has mastered so many different instruments over his illustrious career.

"I certainly would disagree with the word mastered," was his response.

"I think I’m a good beginner on everything, and probably fairly accomplished on rock guitar."

Such a claim was a major understatement and his special acoustic performance last night - with some electric guitar thrown in to boot - proved just why.

Nils Lofgren lit up the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Jo Lopez
Nils Lofgren lit up the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Jo Lopez

Nils is now 63 but his on stage presence is superb and by the end it was inevitable that the Tunbridge Wells crowd would be on its feet.

With fellow multi-instrumentalist Greg Varlotta by his side, Nils showed just how he's been in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band for three decades, is renowned for his work with Neil Young and Ringo Starr, and was inducted into the US’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.

From the opening song of Too Many Miles, Nils' talent was instantly clear.

Renowned for his guitar work, the Arizona resident opened it playing the harp and from then on thrilled the crowd with keyboard, electric, acoustic and tap dance - yes, he even tap dances too.

For me, the stand out performance was Keith Don't Go, just pipping Rusty Gun which Varlotta backed brilliantly with trumpet.

Nils was on top form in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Jan M. Lundahl
Nils was on top form in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Jan M. Lundahl

With his trusty acoustic in hand, the harmonics of Keith Don't Go were superb and Nils' unique style came to the fore - an almost unbelievable power flooding from the acoustic instrument.

But with any Nils Lofgren gig, it's not just the music that entertains.

He splits nearly every song up with an interesting anecdote, giving the audience an intriguing insight into his work with Springsteen, Neil Young and even his love of Hagen Daas ice cream.

On top of all this, it's very easy to forget while Nils is spinning around on one leg full of childlike enthusiasm that he now owns two artificial hips...

Shine Silently was a perfect ending to a great night, before Nils meets all his fans afterwards, signing everything and anything and announcing that he plans to return to the country for another tour later this year.

It's just a shame this whistlestop tour of the country - which continues until Monday, January 26 - doesn't include another date in Kent...

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